"Rose's Round-up on Tourism"
is one of the most sought after South African tourism publications. Rose Willis, the
editor and publisher of this treasure, succeeded in turning the unknown semi-desert
Central Karoo region into a tourism gem with these interesting news snippets unveiling the
Karoo's tourism treasures to visitors.

Besides being welcome in the Karoo to
rejuvinate life, good rains during the festive season brought Merweville a strange fame.
The steady downpours encouraged herpetologist Atherton de Villiers to visit and search for
frogs. His research into reptiles and amphibians has led to him becoming the regional
co-ordinator for the South African Frog Atlas project in the Western Cape. He was
accompanied by wife Rikki, a chief nature conservator at Jonkershoek, in
Stellenbosch. We chose the Koup as no previous records existed for the
area, said Atherton. As we drove into the tiny town at dusk we were
delighted to hear an almost deafening frog chorus echoing from a nearby
stream. We grabbed our torches and rushed off, staying in the veld and searching
for pools until late at night. The locals found this rather odd, and we got many a
curious stare during our three-day stay. In general, the locals found it most unusual
to see two city-dwellers searching the muddy veld pools by torchlight until the wee hours
of the morning. Explaining that we were searching for frogs only caused eyebrows to
rise even further. But our efforts were most successful. Atherton and Rikki found
Cape sand frogs, Cape river frogs, common platannas, common cacos and Karoo toads.
The last two have delightful Afrikaans names, said Atherton.
The caco is the gewone blikslaanertjie and the Karoo toad
the skurwe of pispadda. None of the species are rare, nor unusual,
but we were excited because they helped Merweville hop into the Frog Atlas. They
also enabled us to appointed some new paddasoekers in the Great Karoo.

The latest book on the birds of the Karoo
has just been published. Birds of the Swartberg and Gamkaspoort Nature
Reserves, written by Dave Osborne and Rob Little, costs only R40. This
well-researched, affordable guide will be invaluable to those who enjoy
birdwatching in this area, said Japie Claassen, secretary of the William Quinton
Wild Bird Society. Copies can be ordered directly from Dave Osborne at 18
Uitsig Street, Still Bay, 7599. The Total CWAC Report, which includes details
of annual water bird counts over the past five years, is now available from Sue
Kieswetter at ADU University of Cape Town, Rondebosch, 7701. It costs R120 and is a
wonderful acquisition for any birders library, said Japie.

YOUNG TEXAN SALUTES HEART
TRANSPLANT PIONEER

A nine-year-old Texas schoolboy chose a
man on the other side of the world for a year-end project, The person you most
admire. Kyle Butler, of Bendwood School in Houston, Texax, chose heart
transplant pioneer Professor Chris Barnard because he has long been my
inspiration. He has filled me with desire to one day become a veterinary
surgeon. The only problem facing young Kyle was how to gather sufficient
information on this famous man in so short a time. With my moms help, we
browsed the Internet and found a site for Beaufort West. We phoned the museum and
they put us in touch with Rose Willis at the Central Karoo Tourism Office. She and
museum curator Sandra Smit couldnt have been more helpful. Information
and photographs were faxed to him and he was easily able to meet his tight deadline
and prepare a winning project. I gave a great presentation on Professor
Barnard with your help, he wrote.  Now my friends at Bendwood, part of Spring
Branch Independent School District, know all about this famous man, the little Karoo
town where he was born and the region in which he lived and where he today has a
farm. I consider Professor Barnard to have been a very brave man to have had
the courage to do what no man had ever done before. He set an example for many other
doctors to follow, and through him many lives have been saved. He is my
inspiration. I only hope that I can follow his example and make an equal success of
my amibtion to become a veterinary surgeon.

The Karoo town of Beaufort West relies
heavily on underground water. Initially, water came from fountains and wells.
Then, on June 17, 1892, the town council decided that a more modern and
effective drinking water system was needed. The system they built stood the test of time
so well that it is still in use and was recently featured in a modern municipal
engineering magazine. This tunnel water system, which operates on
seepage, came on stream in 1895 at the cost of £1 890, the fee for a
consultant. The system consists of an underground shaft linked to a pipeline by a
358-metre tunnel. Water, gathered by seepage, is moved to town by gravity. The
systems initial rate of delivery is not known, but today its maximum is
16 /sec. Town engineer Louw Smit says: Today Beaufort Wests water comes
from the Gamka Dam and 19 boreholes. However, because the town is still dependent on
underground water, this ancient pipeline, which has had its pipes replaced many times in
its long history, will always play an integral part in the water supply system.

Heavy rains in the Karoo can conjure up
some strange sights. In the severe flood in Beaufort West in 1940, coffins floating
about in New Street delayed a Beaufort man long enough for him to help save a young mother
and her baby. The story of the flood in the info sheet Town Astride an
Ancient World, brought memories of the incident flooding back to Almero de Villiers. He
recalled the pouring rain and rapidly rising waters of the Gamka River.
I was hurrying along New Street in search of shelter. As I passed the premises
of Mr Deas, the local undertaker, near the the corner of New and Union streets, I
was confronted by the wierdest sight. His entire stock of coffins was bobbing and
drifting about in his yard like some macabre flotilla. It was a
rivetting. I just stood staring. Then, as I turned to continue my dash
to a dryer place, I saw a two-and-a-half foot wall of water rushing straight
at me. It was sweeping a tangle of cardboard boxes, old tin cans,
newspapers and assorted debris before it. Out of nowhere a young woman carrying a baby in
her arms stepped on to the stoep of a New Street house. She stared in horror, frozen
and panic-stricken. Then she began to scream. Above the roar of the storm and water
I yelled: Run, run to the Kingsley Hotel. The urgency of my voice penetrated
her panic and she set off at record-breaking pace. Both she and the baby escaped the
roaring waters totally unscathed. Shaking, we stood at the hotel watching New Street turn
into a raging river.

Of late, Prince Albert in the Karoo has
been attracting some quite exotic examples of the car makers art. The main
attraction, seems to be the awesome Swartberg Pass, a motoring enthusiasts delight.
First there were the magnificent Rolls Royce Silver Ghosts and just recently
those quintessentially British sports cars, MG TDs. The MG trip to the town
and over the pass was organised by Joan Parker, of Cape Town, who has tracked down 151 of
these cars throughout South Africa. Only about half are roadworthy, the remainder
being in various stages of restoration. Not surprising, since the first of these vehicles
rolled off the production line on November 10, 1949. The tour of the Cape, Karoo,
Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal was so successful that I hope to make it an annual
event.

Two students from the University
of Innsbruck in Austria have just completed a research project in Prince Albert.
Andreas Schwarzenberger and Peder Sader spent three months in the village studying bird
habitat resources and shade succulents under the supervision of Drs Sue and Richard
Dean. The bird project covered 16 sites in domestic gardens, fields and the
veld. The shade succulent project broke new ground as so little has been
recorded on these plants, said Sue.

ARTHUR DAVEY, THE MAN WHO MADE
HISTORY A DELIGHT

A great supporter, contributor and
friend of Round-up, historian Dr Arthur Davey, died at the end of last year at the age of
78. News of his death came as a shock to the world of South African historical
researchers. He seemed to be on the road to recovery after a fierce south-easter had
flung him from his feet in Cape Town and landed him in hospital with severe concussion. Dr
Davey was among the first callers at the Central Karoo Tourism Office shortly after it
opened. He was searching for a British soldiers grave. From that day on this
quiet, unassuming man with the twinkling eyes and keen sense of humour stayed in touch
by sending snippets of Karoo information, found in the course of his many research
programmes, for use in Round-up. Each was written in his own curious, spidery handwriting,
but all were treasures well worth deciphering. Many were amusing cameos that
reflected his love for a story with a twist. Arthur Davey was that rarity that made a
pleasure trip of a journey into history. His support over the years will be
missed and not forgotten.

One mans act of bravery during the
Anglo-Boer War has resulted in the affiliation of a British and a South African regiment a
century later. When Major A E A Butcher, commanding officer of the 4th Field
Battery, placed two 15-pound field guns on Coles Kop to shell Boer positions on the
outskirts of Colesberg, he little realised he was stepping into the pages of
history. The Boers eventually won the day but the honour of the action fell to
Butchers regiment, which eventually became the 14th Coles Kop Air Defence
Battery. The remains of the last field gun in action that day can be seen at the Kemper
Museum in Colesberg. With this field piece the Boers were pinned down for a
considerable time. Then the gunners pushed the gun over the edge of the koppie to prevent
its capture. Members of this British regiment, now based at Woolwich, near London,
England, recently visited to commemorate the battle and become affiliated to the SANDF 6th
Light Anti-Aircraft Regiment.

AN ESTATE AGENT, THE BOER FLAG
AND THE TITANIC

In 1912, Cape Town real estate agent
Thomas William Brown was faced with a major decision. The market was in
serious decline, so he had to either extend his real estate and land speculation
business into the hinterland and Karoo or return to America. Finally he felt
his family would have a better future in Seattle. So, early in 1912, he left for the
United Kingdom with his wife, Elizabeth, and their 15-year old daughter, Edith, and then
sail to the United States in style on the Titanic on its maiden voyage. Brown was an
affluent man, but he had to be content with second class berths. By the time he
booked, all first class accommodation had been taken. The Brown family persished
when the unsinkable Titanic went down after striking an iceberg. One of
the crewmen who survived, Second Officer Charles Herbert Lightoller, had a
curious link with South Africa. The White Star Lines management had transferred him
to this new ship and bumped him down to second officer shortly afte he
contrived to fire a salute to the Boers and hoist a Boer flag on a company vessel in
Sydney Harour. It never became clear what Lightollers motive was. He later
played a vital role at the inquiry into the Titanic disaster, shedding much
light on what happened on that fateful night of April 14, 1912.

The ever-popular Karoo National Park,
outside Beaufort West, will be 21 years old in September. Special plans are
being made to celebrate the big day. The park, little more than a dream in 1950 when
local farmer William Quinton started his campaign for a conservation area in the vicinity
of Beaufort West, plays a vital role in the tourism mix of the Central Karoo. Since
its official opening on September 7, 1979, it has served the local and international
tourism markets, as well as the local community. Our aim is to encourage
visitors to experience the Karoo, feel its magic and hold on to its vitality, says
park manager Leighton Hare. The parks popularity for brief visits, day
trips, overnight stays and short holidays is proof that we are succeeding in
our objectives. The park was established to protect a representative area of the
Great Karoo as part of South Africas natural heritage, to encourage visitors to
enjoy the fauna, flora, scenic diversity and essential wilderness area of the Great Karoo,
to protect the soil, vegetation, watershed and catchment areas as well as rare and
endangered species and to preserve cultural history. We are currently involved in a
major research project involving all communities to capture as much of the cultural
diversity of the area as we can. Children from Nature Conservation
groups at local schools are helping collect and document interesting snippets of
information on the farms the park recently acquired. We never lose sight of the fact
that children helped to make this park a reality. They ceaselessly sold stamps as part of
a fund-raising drive. We constantly encourage their participation in nature
conservation.

Fish eagles have moved into the Great
Karoo. There are already seven breeding pairs at dams in the central area. For quite
some time these raptors could only be seen at Anysberg Nature Reserve, 75 km from
Laingsburg. Then, local farmer Murray de Villiers spotted a pair at Floriskraal dam, and
another pair near the farm La-De-Da, in the Beaufort West district. Birders have
reported fish eagles at Gamkapoort Dam in the heart of the Swartberg mountains, at
Oukloof Dam and on Herman Oliviers farm Vrischgewaagt, near Prince Albert.
Fish eagles have also been seen at Leeu Gamka Dam, at the Karoo
National Park, Gamka Dam and near the Sak River in the Beaufort West area. Japie
Claassen, secretary of the William Quinton Wild Bird Society, says: The wild shriek
of the fish eagle is a wonderful sound. Its a treat for tourists now to
be able to see and hear the cries of these magnificent raptors at so many places in this
arid zone.

SEARCH IS ON FOR OLD REGIMENTS

A dual search for information on
two old Beaufort West regiments has started. Natie Greeff, curator of the
Castle Museum in Cape Town, needs information on the Beaufort West Volunteer Rifles, also
known as the Beaufort West Burghers. Samuel van der Berg, of Port Elizabeth,
wants to know more about the Beaufort West Tigers. The Beaufort West
Volunteer Rifles, were in fact K-Company of the Cape Western Rifles, says
Natie. The regiment was raised on February 9, 1894, with an authorised
strength of 100 men. Among the first to be attested was Surgeon
Lieutenant P OCallaghan. Captain A N Krummeck and Second Lieutenant J H Bell
were attested on July 1, 1894. The regiment served in many major campaigns.
Two men received Basotuland Bars for their Cape of Good Hope General Service
Medals, and 10 were presented with Transkei Bars. We need information and
photographs, if possible, so that the men of Beaufort West can be included in a booklet we
are compiling on the Western Rifles. Samuel stumbled on the Beaufort
Tigers while indulging his passion for old photographs. Rummaging at a flea market
stall he discovered a yellowed picture of 16 mounted men outside a house in Donkin
Street. They look as if they are setting off on an Anglo-Boer War
campaign, he said. Id love to be sure.

Three Beaufort West men were once part of
a crack frontier police force. Now, Mr J M J Leach, who is compiling the history of the
Bechuanaland Border Police is searching for more information on Colin Albert Fraser, who
served in 1893, Meintjies Frazer and William Charles Daniel, who were members of the
force from its inception in August, 1893, until 1896. This British Imperial
military unit, considered one of the best frontier forces, served the Bechuanaland
Crown Colony and Bechuanaland Protectorate, now the Northern Cape and Botswana,
respectively, says Mr Leach. In the Matabele War of 1893 Daniel, known as
a wild lad from Beaufort West and a Trooper Wilson, from England, earned
notoriety by stealing the monetary token of surrender of Lobengula, chief of the
Matabele.

A traditional Karoo dish tantalises the
taste buds at a Cape Town restaurant. Visitors to Parks Restaurant, in Constantia,
are amazed to see Karoo muise on the menu. Head chef Christian Hale
included this traditional liver, kidney and caulfat faggot on the menu so that gourmets
can savour the flavour of the hinterland.Christian says: Its
mentioned in a review in Food and Home Entertainings January issue among other
platteland pleasantries designed to encourage the epicurean elite to be adventurous.
Among the other delights of inland eating are a guinea fowl main course followed by
sousklontjies for desert. These are dainty dumplings that float in a rich butter and
cinnamon sauce. Certainly not for dieters, but well worth the damage to the waistline, say
those whove sampled this Karoo cuisine.

The flags of the old Republics will once
again be carried through the Great Karoo to Pretoria by horsemen. This historic
ride, intended as part of the Anglo-Boer War commemorative centenary, will salute the
horses and riders of the Boer War. Scheduled to start on June 3 in Stellenbosch, it
will end with a mock battle at Loftus Versfeld Stadium on June 17, the day the South
Africa rugby team plays England. In his book To Horse and Away, Jose Berman writes:
Horses were the true losers of the Anglo-Boer War. Of the 520 000 horses the British
Army used in South Africa, 326 073 died of exhaustion and disease. No veterinary corps yet
existed to supervise and destroy sick or maimed animals. This only came into being in
1903. Without the horse the Boers could not have fought the war, nor the British won it.
Both sides took their horses for granted and used them ruthlessly, often driving them to
the limits of endurance and beyond. By the end of the war the Cape Horse, once
a prized cavalry mount, had virtually vanished. This horse bore the brunt of the war on
the Boer side. Basutoland had been drained of her ponies and it took years for the
breed to regain its status. All stock on Karoo farms had been commandeered and many once
famous studs never bred horses again. Hennie Ahlers and Willem Heine, of
Nooitgedacht Stud, who are organising the commemorative ride, agree with
Robert Smit Surtees, who, in an 1883 issue of Mr Sponges Sporting Tour, wrote:
There is no bond so close as that between a rider and his horse.
Their cavalcade, carrying a variety of historic South African flags, as well as those from
many countries that took part in the war, will travel from Stellenbosch, through
Worcester, Beaufort West, Graaff Reinet, Colesberg, Kimberley, Bloemfontein, Kroonstad,
Potchefstroom and Rustenburg en route to Pretoria. A programme honouring the horse will be
presented at each town. Messages of goodwill will be gathered along the route for
presentation to the State President at Loftus Versfeld Stadium. There will be a commando
ride and gymkhana events in Beaufort West on June 6, 2000.

St Mathews School in Beaufort-Wes is part
of the worldwide Flags and Friends project. Under the guidance of English teacher
Eugene Grant, they exchange information with schools in Argentina, Canada, the USA, the
UK, Israel, Taiwan, Australia, Nigeria, Germany, Japan, Cyprus and Brazil by snail and
e.mail. The idea is to learn more about each others world in general,
says Eugene Its an exciting and practical-awareness project. Each
child has to contribute to the programme by researching and writing about his town, a
great deal of which is based on tourism. We recently received a package from Taiwan
containing tourist information, a Coke, quite odd with its foreign lettering, a newspaper,
pictures, postcards and a variety of unusual snack packages. Were compiling
information too. Weve included Western Cape tourism guides, Karoo
brochures and as much interesting information on Beaufort West and South Africa as
possible.

TORTOISE A HONEYMOON HIT

Honeymooners Jan and Minnie van Zyl
accepted a 100-year-old mountain tortoise as an omen of happiness. They arrived at
the Karoo National Park.as Central Karoo District Council health inspector Danie van
Rensburg was handing the ancient creature to the parks tourism officer Sidney
Witbooi. We celebrated Minnies birthday, then Valentines day and
the next day we got married, said Jan. Now, on the first day of our
honeymoon, we see a magnificent tortoise. We love these creatures as they appear to
symbolise peace, tranquillity and long life. They insisted on being
photographed with it. The huge tortoise, in fine condition, was rescued on a busy road by
Central Karoo District Council executives John van der Merwe and Nikla Nortje.

FORESTS TO FUEL THE LOCOMOTIVES

When trains first steamed into the
hinterland they ran on coal imported from Wales. South Africa was considered
deficient in coal. Small amounts were being mined at Cyphergat, Molteno and Indwe. The
countrys major fields, the largest in the southern hemisphere, were still in the
future. Dr Gustav Fritsch, a German traveller, in 1886 wrote: There is probably no
country where adequate deposits of coal would prove a greater blessing than in South
Africa. If cheap coal could be found the railways, so sparse at present, would
boldly steam ahead. Imported coal was too expensive for the man in the street,
so he used wood. This prompted the Cape Colonial Railways to plant fuel
forests. In 1884, an eight-acre blue gum plantation was started on Stolshoek farm
outside Beaufort West. Walkers Dam was built to irrigate the trees. The
intention was to harvest 11 tons of dry wood an acre and extend the forest if it did well.
At first the trees flourished, but droughts, scarcity of water and
brak (saline) soil forced the abandonment of the project within four
years, says Almero de Villiers, a former Beaufort West resident who researched these
forests in 1952. The railways announced the failure of the project in the
Karoo with great regret. Successful forests and nurseries were established at Tokai,
Ceres, Constantia, and Worcester, where an 80-acre forest met fuel
requirements. Today, scattered blue gums still dot the Great Karoo as a
reminder the days when trains ran on wood.

The halcyon December days so affected a
young rhino cow that she promptly left the Karoo National Park to explore the wider world.
On an idyllic Karoo morning Kurni decided the park was a titch too confining, so
she pitted her powerful weight against the electrified fence and squeezed down into a dry
riverbed. From there it was a short trot to the Fraserburg Road. The day was
superb. The scorch of the Karoo sun was dampened by a cool breeze. It carried with
it all manner of tantalising smells. Kurni increased her pace in excitement and
expectation. The same morning, Mrs Mavis Botma, of Losberg farm, was quite at
peace with the world as she drove along the meandering road to Beaufort West. The
day was divine. Then playful fate stepped in and brought the two face to
face at a sharp, blind bend. Tranquility for both vanished in a puff. Kurni snorted
in disbelief at the dust the acrid-smelling creature churned up as it braked and
skidded to avoid her. She blinked shortsightedly in confusion as Mavis edged past
and sped off to report her close encounter to the Karoo Park management. Alone in
the settling dust, Kurni was happy that the metal creature had fled in terror, but she
decided perhaps the great wide world was not all it was cracked up to be. So she retraced
her steps and squeezed back to safety and security at the same spot where she had escaped.
Rangers who arrived in more clouds of dust found her grazing serenely.
Suurkop, one of the parks black rhino bulls, was killed by lightening during a
recent heavy thunderstorm. He has been replaced by R1.

UNUSUAL FEATHERED FRIENDS

Beaufort West birders have been happily surprised by
unusual visitors. Japie Claassen, secretary of the Wild Bird Club, says a pair of
crowned cranes have been spotted on a farm just outside town, and marabou storks
have been seen on the Oudtshoorn road and near the golf course. These are
unusual visitors to this area, Japie says. Farmer Murray de Villiers reports
first spotting a marabou on his farm La-De-Da in 1976. He saw them regularly for a
few years, and then they just vanished.

The historic Monument Cemetery, 10km south
of Matjiesfontein, now has a safe parking area. It was recently constructed by the Central
Karoo District Council with assistance from Western Cape Tourism Board. "Our aim was
to provide visitors to the cemetery with safe parking away from the busy N1 highway,"
said district council chief executive John van der Merwe. "Formerly, tourists had to
park at the gate, climb over a stile and walk almost lkm to the graves. Most visitors were
concerned about leaving their vehicles unattended so far away. Also, there was room only
for one or two cars and buses could not park there. We are delighted that Western Cape
Tourism Board has made it possible for us to create this new, bigger car park." The
cemetery is a popular stop for Anglo-Boer War enthusiasts and history buffs. The two
obelisks on the koppie encourage many other tourists to stop and explore. One was erected
in memory of George Maxwell Grant, killed in a rail accident, and the other is a British
Army memorial in honour of Major-General Andrew Wauchope, affectionately known as
"Red Mick." A hero of Scotland, he was killed at the Battle of Magersfontein,
near Kimberley, during the Anglo-Boer War. Wauchopes grave in the cemetery below is
marked by a simple sandstone memorial erected by his wife Jean. Nearby are the graves of
James D Logan, founder of Matjiesfontein, and his wife Emma. Their daughter, Catherine,
son, Daddy Jim, and several other family members lie nearby. In the cemetery are many
historic graves, including that of English cricketer Edward Alfred Lohmann, considered to
have been one of the worlds greatest all-rounders ever.

Every year thousands of German tourists
arrive in the Cape and all they want to see is the Great Karoo, says author and
businessman Clem Sunter. While discussing his new book "Winning in the New
Millennium" in a recent Readers Digest, he says: "You have to be a fox to come
out on top. The Karoo is marketed as a unique area to German tourists, and each year
thousands of Germans arrive in Cape Town with the specific aim of visiting places such as
Beaufort West, Graaff Reinet and De Aar, to experience the world class, personalised
service offered by some of the B&Bs."

RADIO LURES LISTENERS TO THE KAROO

A recent interview on the SA fm radio
programme "Women Today" kindled renewed interest in the Karoo. Compiler Nancy
Richards had hardly finished an interview with tourism co-ordinator Rose Willis when the
telephone lines began to buzz. The diversity of calls stretched from the Uruguayan Embassy
to 12-year-old Justin McLean, of Klerksdorp Primary School, who needed help with a project
on heart-transplant pioneer Chris Barnard. Listeners enjoyed hearing about fossils, frogs
and colourful history. Many requested back copies of Round-up and wanted to join the
regular mailing list.

The planned commando ride through Beaufort
West, part of the commemorative commando ride from Stellenbosch to Pretoria to honour the
horses and horsemen of the Anglo-Boer War, has drawn wide response. The steering committee
has received many inquiries from horsemen wishing to ride with Piet Elliss Commando
or with David Pickard-Cambridges British Brigade. The ride through Beaufort West
takes place on June 6. A message of goodwill will be handed to the leader of the
commemorative ride to pass on to the State President in Pretoria. Then, many of the
horsemen will demonstrate their skills.

A tiny Karoo town has declared war on
litter, and the result has been a major tourism boost. The pristine surroundings of
Hanover recently caught the eye of Iris Bester of SATV, so she stopped to investigate.
Iris then found Willie Mathee of the local tourism committee. Tired of seeing kilometres
of plastic bags littering the veld, he and his committee offered to swop a bundle of
firewood for a municipal rubbish bag of full of litter from the veld. "Everyone from
township dwellers to school children instantly began to pick up paper, plastic bags and
litter," says Willie. "Within short, Hanover was the cleanest town in
Africa." Iris was so impressed that she featured the project in her programme Focus.
Then Getaway editor David Bristow praised Hanovers effort in an article. Soon many
other local and international journalists trooped in for a look. Next, a TV crew arrived
to do a feature. All this publicity has attracted many more tourists to stop and overnight
in Hanovers spotless guest houses.

The grave of an English-speaking Boer
soldier is among those being repaired in an old Beaufort West cemetery by the local
Rapportryerskorps and Goodall & Williams. He was John James Bester Watson, 22, who
joined General Wynand Malans commando with his two brothers William Henry and
Charles. The Watson brothers came from Barkly East where they were well-known and liked.
One day, while at Juriesfontein, near Nelspoort, Malans commando was surprised by
the British. The Boers scattered. John hid in a stable, but someone on the farm, whom
locals had labelled a "hans-kakie," pointed out his hiding place. He tried to
escape, but was shot in the back. The farmers wife undertook to nurse him, but the
army decided to move him before his wounds had healed. During the bumpy trip to town on a
mule wagon (scotch cart) his wound opened and he bled to death. He was buried in the Dutch
Reformed Church cemetery. During the symbolic Great Trek of 1938, the Afrikaanse Taal en
Kultuurvereniging (ATKV) erected a memorial on his grave. Later, a second stone was
erected by Murraysburg friends. In 1904, Mrs De Villiers, the wife of Reverend De Villiers
of Carnarvon, who was deported to Beaufort West during the war, tried to obtain
Watsons army pay for his parents. In a letter to the authorities, she wrote:
"Young Watson was a fine specimen of a South African. I still deplore his untimely
death brought on by the treachery of a Colonial Dutch-born Boer." Watsons
brothers were taken prisoner and when peace was declared they decided they did not want to
live in a land ruled by the British, so they emigrated to Argentina. Williams wife
and Charles died there. William returned to South Africa in 1939.

Frontier outlaw Coenraad Buys, a huge,
powerful man, was an adventurer and smuggler who left a dash of wildness in the story of
Beaufort West and the Nuweveld farms recently acquired by the Karoo National Park. Buys,
also known as Coenraad de Buy or Buis, was born of Huguenot stock in Montagu in 1761. He
clashed with the law and took refuge among Xhosas on the eastern frontier. He also traded
in cattle with them, illegal in those days. His treatment of these people is said to have
contributed to the outbreak of the Second Frontier War. Buys developed a passionate hatred
for the British who declared him an outlaw, banished him from the Colony and put a price
on his head. Buys wandered through the Karoo in the late 1700s. When Graaff Reinet
burghers chased their magistrate out of town and declared a republic, Buys tried to
persuade the Xhosas to join these burghers in an uprising against the British. He failed.
For years, Buys lived among the Ngqika people. Then, with his Thembu wife and numerous
children from that marriage, as well as from a liaison with Maria van der Horst, a woman
of Black\Khoi-khoi descent, he moved to the area of present-day Beaufort West. There he
disrupted the mission work of Erasmus Smit on the farm Kookfontein, raided cattle herds
and generally created havoc. By 1821, he had moved across the Vaal and settled in the
Soutpansberg. When his wife died in 1823, he was so grief-stricken that he wandered off
into the veld and was never seen again.

An ancient poem telling of a beautiful lily
and a noisy beetle, called the sonbesie in the Karoo, puzzled Greek scholars for
centuries. Then in the 1930s, a South African solved the riddle. The great Greek poet
Homer mentioned "the lily-like sound of the cicada" in one of his poems and
dumfounded his followers. Eventually, learned men decided "lily-like" was an
error of translation, and that explanation was accepted for 3 000 years. But, in the
30s, Professor Kolbe, of Cape Town University, discovered when picking
chincherinchees that when the stems of these lilies rubbed together a shrill sound was
emitted. It was just like the shriek of the cicada. Thus the ancient mystery surrounding
these beautiful lilies and the tiny beetle was solved. The cicada, known as the sonbesie
or Christmas Beetle in arid zones such as the Karoo, uses his shrill shriek as a serenade,
a love song sung only by the males. The females do not have voices. Which is why the
ancient Greeks quipped: "Happy are cicadas lives, as they have silent
wives!"

The Swartberg Country Lodge in Prince
Albert has once again come up trumps in the Diners Club Wine List Awards. For the second
year in a row it is the only Karoo establishment on the list. Merit Certificates were
awarded to 64 establishments throughout the country, and Blackie Swart, owner of the
Swartberg Country Lodge, received one of the 32 awarded in the Western Cape Province.

A son of the Great Karoo, Professor Chris
Barnard, is to be honoured by the Austrian Government this month. In an international
poll, the world heart-transplant pioneer emerged as the most popular of seven
international leaders in their fields. He will receive the first My Way award.
"Polling was conducted by Internet to gain as wide an international response base as
possible," said Eric Bruckberger, a director of the Tatum Media Group, organisers of
the gala function in Vienna at which the award will be presented. The media group, which
has negotiated the loan of a large portion of the Barnard exhibit from Beaufort West
Museum to mount a display in Vienna from May 20 to June 20, will also donated R30 000 to
the museum for the loan of the material. Included is a selection of memorabilia from
Professor Barnard's childhood home and early life as well as the simulation of the
original heart-transplant theatre, awards presented to him, paintings, as well as many
photographs. Professor Barnard recently visited Beaufort West with Eric Bruckberger and
Primo Zogg, an architect representing the Austrian Government, to select items for
display. Professor Barnard conducted them on a tour of his boyhood home and the old
mission church in which his father preached. "It was sprinkled with many anecdotes of
a warm family life," said Eric.

A schoolboy's project on Gamkaskloof in the
Karoo has brought him international recognition. Henning Burden, a grade-10 pupil at Paul
Roos in Stellenbosch, last year won first place at the Western Cape Expo for his
environmental and ecological project on The Hell, as the kloof is commonly known. He was
one of two pupils in the Western Cape and 60 country-wide presented with gold medals for
their work in a nation-wide competition that drew 30 000 entrants. This year, the SA
National Expo organisers adjudged Henning's project one of the top four. He has now been
invited to travel to Hong Kong to enter it in the International Expo from July 22 to
August 1. Its standards are extremely high. Henning's project evolved from a visit to the
valley in 1998. Its natural beauty, plants, animals, birds and history so impressed him
that he felt he had to share it with others.

"LITTLE GENTLEMAN" STILL
REMEMBERED

Beaufort West's Central High School head
boy of 1930 died shortly after leaving school in December that year. But Max Bayer has not
been forgotten. Now, 70 years later, his niece, Dr Freda Freeman, of Cape Town, has
appealed to the Central Karoo Tourism Office to help find information on him. "Max
died of blood poisoning after being bitten by a horse fly," she said. "In those
days, there were no antibiotics and despite being rushed to hospital, nothing could be
done. He is buried in Kimberley." In 1931, the school decided to honour Max by
erecting a remembrance plaque. It was unveiled by his good friend Eric Lusty. Originally
placed in a classroom, close to the seat he once occupied, it is now in the main corridor,
near the headmaster's office. At the unveiling ceremony, one of the masters, Mr J J Nel,
said Max Bayer had been "more than a top pupil, of exemplary character and conduct.
He was a little gentleman. A lad full of promise, his consistent efforts achieved a first
grade pass, made him Dux Student of the year."

Considerable drama surrounded the incident
at Juriesfontein which led to the death of John Watson, a young Boer soldier (Round-up No 75). Boer War researcher Taffy
Shearing says Watson was a member of that small party of men from the commandos of Wynand
Malan and Gideon Scheepers who travelled from the Aberdeen district in July, 1901, to the
Free State to hold talks with General Christiaan de Wet and President Steyn. Led by Malan,
with Henry Hugo, the party had an easy, trouble-free journey, but its mission ended in
disappointment. Steyn and De Wet only issued a toothless proclamation declaring Cape
Rebels to be Free Staters. Unable to find recruits, the party returned to the Cape. It
reached Juriesfontein in October, 1901. "This farm lies in a secluded spot and the
Pienaars had no clear view of anyone approaching," says Taffy. "On the day of
the incident, young Dauphin Pienaar was out in the veld. The Boer party rode up and asked
if the coast was clear It had been when he left home, but unbeknown to him, a British
patrol had slipped in. The Boers rode to the farm. As they were about to knock on the
front door it burst open and shots rang out. They fled. But young Watson had led his horse
around the back for water. He was just taking the saddle off when he heard the shots. As
he tried to pull the girth up with his teeth he was shot in the stomach and
collapsed." Watson was carried into the house for treatment, but the British decided
not to leave him there. They clearly remembered the young Boer Corney Hoffman escaping
after being wounded at another farm. So Watson was put in a wagon for transport to
hospital. He died en route to town. "The Boers blamed Dauphin for Watson's death, so
he joined the District Mounted Troops for protection. When General Wynand Malan captured
the DMT at Uitspansfontein in February, 1902, Ben de Villiers told Pienaar to act deaf and
dumb. He did so, and with other members of the DMT denying he was Pienaar this probably
saved his life." Taffy will be in Beaufort West on June 9 for talks on Boer War
events in the area at a VLV meeting and the museum.

Languishing among the memorabilia of Prince
Albert's Fransie Pienaar Museum is a swordstick, once a part of high drama. Sadly, the
name of the Bulgarian who originally owned it has been forgotten, but his story has
survived. "One can only imagine that, whoever he was, this man loved the
beautifully-crafted weapon. It seems to have been the only possession of value he took
when fleeing from Bulgaria, never to return," says researcher Helena Marincowitz.
When the swordstick's owner refused to join rebel forces in his country, he was captured
and imprisoned. He escaped and dashed back to his house to snatch a change of clothing and
his swordstick. He then headed for the Greek border. Once safely across, he snatched a
rest alongside the road. Robbers attacked him but he beat them off with the swordstick.
One of the robbers managed to grab it and pulled the wooden sheath from the rapier. He
made off with this in his hand. Badly shaken, the Bulgarian wrapped his rapier in an old
newspaper and continued his jourey to Athens. There he joined a Greek freighter bound for
the West Coast of Africa. He eventually disembarked in Durban. He roamed South Africa for
months, unable to settle. Then, one day, he found himself at Prince Albert Road station.
There the adventurer left the train and hopped aboard a donkey cart bound for the
Swartberg Hotel. He fell in love with the Karoo and stayed at the hotel until he died. He
bequeathed his rapier to hotel owner Benjamin Klein, who became a close friend. In time,
Bernard gave it to his friend Jimmy Oosthuizen, a Zeekoeigat farmer. Jimmy crafted a
sheath for the blade, fitted a wooden knob to the handgrip and, in 1946, gave it to his
son, Eric, who donated it to the museum in 1985.

Thomas Frederick Mortlock, who died in 1973
at 96 years, once bravely rode the Karoo plains as a member of Gorringe's Flying Column.
After the Anglo-Boer War ended, he often told friends and family of those exciting times.
Frederick then recalled that the unit had once set a British Army record by travelling 100
miles in 24 hours on horseback. Everyone enjoyed his stories, but no one recorded them.
Now his grandson, Mike Mortlock, is trying to find out more about this unit which Leo
Amery in The Times History of the War in South Africa calls "the oldest of all the
columns" and Athe original Colonial Defence Force. "Colonel C F Gorringe raised
the unit in Graaff Reinet for general service and many well-known men of the Karoo served
with it," says researcher Taffy Shearing. "Among them were Abe Bailey, Evert
Collett, who rose to the rank of Colonel during World War One, and Douglas
Featherstone." When most troopers of the original unit had served their time, it was
broken up, but Gorringe immediately organised a fresh force of Tasmanians, Cape Police and
Nesbitt's Horse. Mike Mortlock would welcome any further details.

Two vintage De Havilland Tiger Moth
aircraft recently provided a rare aeronautical treat above Prince Albert. They were part
of the Great SABC 2 Aerial Roadshow, which focuses on festivals and national sports
events. The aircraft called on Prince Albert, their first rural venue, to promote TV 2 and
its programmes. "The idea is to create a higher visibility for our service and to
generate support for local charities," said SABC2 Brand Manager Jackie Motsepe.
"Funds for charity are generated by passengers who pay for a 30-minute flip across
their town. We create a great deal of excitement by offering free lucky tickets and having
well-known TV 2 celebrities join the fun." The team, which comprised pilots Tim
Keaton, Frank Rehrl and Bob Ewing, as well as engineers Frank Strecker and Peter Upfold as
well as administrators Patty Photong and Lee Rehrl all enjoyed a few days relaxation in
the Karoo at the Swartberg Country Lodge.

There are plans for two art workshops at
Prince Albert this year. The first, entitled Karoo Art, is designed to extend experienced
landscape artists working in oils or acrylics. It takes place from May 22 to 25, costs
R600 and will be conducted by well-known artist Erik Laubscher. The second, entitled
Spring Art Week, is designed to cater for all levels of experience and will have a variety
of programmes to enable participants to choose one best suited to their individual needs.
For this workshop, from August 21 to 24, the course fee is R450. Tutors are Christine
Thomas, BA Fine Art (Rhodes), Mary Ann Botha and Ann Kerr, both with BA Hons Fine Art
degrees from the University of the Witwatersrand. The workshops are being arranged by
local artists Christine Thomas and Elzane Steynberg. "The landscape around Prince
Albert offers artists unsurpassed painting opportunities. Lighting effects are dramatic,
and the expansive vistas of the Karoo provide inspiration and challenge," says
Christine. Elzane agrees, and adds: "The Swartberg Pass alone, with its magnificent,
awe-inspiring rock formations is worthy of hours of study."

MERWEVILLE FROGS WORK THEIR MAGIC

Frogs not only helped put Merweville on the
map, they also rekindled many long-ago memories of the village. Among those delighted by
this unusual publicity for the town was Elsje van der Linde (nee Deetlefs), a former
teacher. She writes from Velddrif: "I was thrilled to see Merweville hitting the
headlines (Round-up No 74). I'll never
forget my first glimpse of this isolated village. I arrived there in 1962 to take up my
first teaching post. Being a city girl, I had serious reservations about moving into the
hinterland, but my fears were groundless. The townspeople made me more than welcome. In
those days Kallie le Roux, who is now doing so much for tourism in the town, was one of my
pupils. I later bought a cottage from him. My husband, Martiens, who is an artist, and I
spent many unforgettable hours wandering in the veld. We studied platannas and skurwepaddas
basking on the picturesque stone dam walls through our bird-watching binoculars." The
unusual items found on Nova Vita, mentioned in the same Round-up, also interested Elsje.
"As an aspiring botanical artist, I made several trips to this farm. I found a
beautful Hermannia filifolia, or bergrosie, here as well as a giant pincushion
protea sprawling on a geophyte ledge. I am still trying to identify this superb
plant."

Matiesfontein, that grand old duchess of the Great Karoo,
has been given a facelift. Four self-catering cottages, each with accommodation for six,
and nine extra rooms, at the Garden Mews, formerly the Boarding House, have been brought
into the tourism mix. A station has been added next to the old train at the cricket field,
and a motor museum is to be created on this site. To enhance the villages aura of
history and romance, a brandy and cigar room, plus a library, is being created on the
second floor of the old station building. Artisans are refurbishing 15 more rooms. A
special motel-type section is being created so that guests can park outside their rooms.
"Revamping and upgrading the village has been exciting," said manager John
Seems. "An archaeologist on a visit with the national monuments team found a layout
of roadways near the old cricket pitch which seems to indicate that the founder of
Matjiesfontein, James Logan, once also had plans for expansion. We have also found some
ancient invoice books dating back to the 1890s listing details of all those who ordered
mineral water from the plant Logan once had near his house. A great deal of work is also
being done in the gardens to eliminate any damage by workmen." A large screen TV is
also being installed so that guests can view special events and study the villages
huge, highly-acclaimed website.

Today tourism advertising is big business. But this was not
always so. The wide spectrum of modern-day advertising opportunities in newspapers,
magazines, television, radio and the web often seems quite mind-boggling to most
accommodation vendors in the Karoo. Yet less than a century ago this type of advertising
was unheard of. In fact, in 1902, when a Beaufort West guest house advertised its
facilities in Worcester, it was so unusual that it prompted the then editor of the
Courier, the Beaufort West weekly newspaper, to mention it in a special article. He wrote:
"The proprietress of one of the boarding establishments here has hit on a happy idea.
She is now meeting visitors to Beaufort half way up the line by advertising the merits of
her house in the Worcester Standard. This is an excellent idea which other hotels and
boarding houses in the town should certainly follow up. We will be glad to promote the
practise by receiving advertisements intended for other papers and arranging for their
insertion without any extra charge." It appears to have worked. A subsequent issue
comments on "the number of Beaufort advertisements in the Standard."

COUNTRY LIFE LENS FOCUSES ON MURRAYSBURG

A traditional Xhosa song of welcome recently resounded in
Beaufort Street, Murraysburg, for Country Life photo-journalist Alex Cremer. Sung by 40
children of the Murraysburg Intermediate Primary School, under the leadership of their
teacher, Shelley Tsoba, it was followed by a specially-written song of welcome. To the
strains of "South Africa, We Love You," the children sang: "Mr Cremer, we
love you, thank you for coming to Murraysburg," at Five Roses Guest House, where he
was photographing the handiwork of local crafters. "I have been warmly welcomed in
many towns Ive visited throughout South Africa in the course of my job," said
Alex, "but, I have never been received quite like this. It was so touching, it will
live with me forever." At Rooipoort, a Sneeuberg farm 22 km from town, Alex
photographed the handiwork of local farmers wives as well papier machť items made
by farm workers at Poplar Studios. Country Life intends publishing a special feature on
Murraysburg and its talented residents later this year.

Prince Alberts librarian, Reinie Smit, has
established a permanent tourist information display in the library. "As so many
visitors to the town pop in to the library seeking background details and historic
information I have been collecting material for years. Then, when Johan Cornelissen, who
wrote a book on the gables of the village, donated his background material, photographs
and postcards to us we had a good basis on which to work." It will be a key feature
during Library Week (June 5 - 9).

The important role Beaufort West played in the life of
philanthropist Emily Hobhouse was highlighted during a recent talk by Maxie Kritzinger,
who lives in the town. Addressing the monthly meeting of the "Dames 14 Klub,"
she highlighted the fact that Emily found the Karoo a dull and dreary place when she first
set eyes on it, but ended up loving this stark, arid territory. Emily stayed in Beaufort
West on several occasions during the Anglo-Boer War on her way to visit concentration
camps in the Free State. It was in Beaufort West that she first met lifelong friends Olive
Schreiner and Betty Molteno. She also formed an undying friendship with Tibbie Steyn, wife
of M T Steyn, President of the Free State. Tibbie (her name is a Scottish endearment for
girls named Isabella) was the granddaughter of Beaufort Wests beloved dominee, the
Reverend Colin Fraser. Maxies talk poignantly covered Emilys hardships and
heartaches. One of her great disappointments took place in Beaufort West when illness
forced Emily to abandon her journey to deliver the keynote address at the opening of the
Vroue Monument. In 1913, on her way to Bloemfontein, Emily became too ill to travel beyond
Beaufort West. In a very weakened state she was taken from the train to the home of
Dominee Johan George Steytler, where she was nursed until she was well enough to travel
back to Cape Town for her return trip to England. During the time she spent in Beaufort
West she met many local people who made lasting impressions on her and who are fondly
mentioned in Emilys letters.

A search for information on an old mine has unearthed a
mass of information on coal mining in the Karoo. Researcher Arnold Hutchinson has been
trying to trace the history of the abandoned mine at Leeurivierspoort for years. His
efforts have led him on a tour of the archives and into the libraries of the major mining
houses. He has discovered that a great deal of mining took place in the Karoo in the mid
to late 1800s. Talks with Dr A Jordaan, of Anglo American, who at one time wrote a thesis
on mining in the Karoo, and with Mr Nok Frik, of Anglos Geo Science Department, have
revealed there were also coal mines in Laingsburg and Prince Albert. "The exact site
of the Prince Albert coal mine remains a mystery," says Arnold. "The experts
tell me that the coal of the Karoo emits a curious bitumen-like odour when burnt. They say
this unique pungent reek indicates the presence of oil." This fact led him to the oil
explorations at Kareebosch in Murraysburg in the 1960s. "The height of the coal seam,
which protrudes right out of the cliff face about 1 000ft above the riverbed at
Leeurivierspoort, also intrigues experts," says Arnold. "They also tell me that
the miners of the Karoo were drawn away by the prospects of greater wealth at the diamond
and gold mines. Scarcity of labour, poor quality coal and the outbreak of the Anglo-Boer
War led to the abandonment of the Karoo coal mines. Many were blown up to prevent the
British Army from using the coal to run the trains. My research also reveals that in 1899
coal was sold in Beaufort West at tickey a bag. It was secretly brought into
town hidden in wagons under other supplies, such as wood."

Stewart Hutton, a Scottish journalist who freelances for
FGF, a Finnish golfing magazine, was amused by Prince Alberts golf course. It
prompted him to write: "Prince Albert has a golf course which by most standards is
unusual. The only grass in sight is on the first and ninth tees and in front of the
clubhouse. Fairways are brown (earth and grit). The greens are black (sand and oil) and
the rough, designated by a border of white painted rocks, consists totally of stony
desert. The horizon seems a million miles away. There are nine holes, played twice from
different tees. Players are provided with pieces of astroturf to play off the fairways.
Presumably they use well-scarred irons for recoveries from the rough. Special
rollers are used to smooth the blacks before putting. An extra
hazard appears after the occasional July and August rains. Then the fairways are
temporarily carpeted by colourful wild flowers." Steward added: "Henry
Longhurst, one of the worlds greatest golf writers, once described golfing in the
desert with affection in a piece entitled Golf Without Grass. He called it
true golf, and now, having played at Prince Albert, I agree with his
view." Prince Albert Golf Club was founded in 1928. It has 24 playing members. Women
are welcome, but none have joined since 1952, according to secretary Das Olivier.

Phillip Maasdorp of Murraysburg is already planning this
years popular Spring Commando Ride. He arranges three of these a year in April,
September and December over two full days with one night spent out in the veld. "The
rides takeplace during school holidays as many youngsters are keen to be part of these
adventures," says Phillip. "Riders must have reasonable competency levels. Our
routes vary greatly and cover river, plains and mountain country, taking in many historic,
rock art and general interest sites. Everyone enjoys sleeping under the stars and cooking
on open fires. We arrange fodder and stabling as well as mounts for those from far afield
whod love to explore our countryside."

FIND THE PRINCE ON THE WEB

Tel No. 023-541-1366

Prince Albert now has its own website. Designed and
launched by Alisa Tudhope, editor of the Prince Albert Friend, it can be visited at http://home.intekom.com/patourism.
The site focuses on tourism, and its earthy colours have been specially chosen to ensure
that it captures the feel of the Karoo.

The graves of British soldiers buried in
Beaufort West in the Great Karoo during the Anglo-Boer War have been restored by the local
Rapportryers organisation. The work was undertaken by Goodall and Williams, and cleaning
and washing of gravel chips provided short-term employment for the jobless. Goodall and
Williams personnel repaired and rebuilt all curbings and recemented all surrounds. Marble
crosses and memorials were all thoroughly washed and cleaned and metal Guild Crosses were
repainted. Then markers, with details of the soldier's name, rank and number were fixed to
each cross to ensure that the graves could once again be easily identified. Brass roundels
originally marked each grave, but over the years vandals removed these.There is only one
Boer soldier buried in Beaufort West cemetery. He is John Watson, whose grave was also
located and restored. A sketch-map detailing the whereabouts of war graves in the old
Anglican, Wesleyan and Catholic cemeteries will soon be available at the tourist
information offices and museum.

The severely physically handicapped Jan
Sarels, of Prince Albert, has been adjudged one of the top mohair classers in the world.
He was rated second in South Africa at the recent prestigious Mohair Growers' Miyuki
prize-giving ceremony in Port Elizabeth. Jan broke his legs and back in a fall from a
trailer as a child. Despite spending three years in hospital in Port Elizabeth, his
injuries never healed properly. Eventually, with a severe limp and dropped hip, he
returned home. His father, a shearer, taught him the craft. Despite the agonies he
suffered while working, Jan strove for perfection. He managed, but he wanted to know more,
so began learning how to class the clip. Clive van Hasselt, for whom Jan works, says:
"Jan is like a sponge. He literally soaks up knowledge. He always wants to know more.
We are all immensely proud of his achievements. Getting one of the five top awards in the
country has crowned his dedicated efforts." Jan, of course, is aiming at the No 1
spot. "No one can ever know it all, one must never stop learning," he says.

JUST FOLLOW THE AROMA

(Tel No.023-541-1345)

The new owners of Sampie's Farmstall in
Prince Albert, Kevin and Barbara Ellison, plan to start an open-air braai restaurant next
to this little shop. "Braaivleis is so much a part of platteland life, yet it's a
difficult meal for tourists to find unless they are staying over in a typical South
African home," said Barbara. "We aim to incorporate braais in our mix to
encourage casual visitors to enjoy traditional culture against the magnificent backdrop of
the Swartberg Mountains."

The popular guest farm Wilgeboschkloof in
the Merweville district is once again open to the public. This farm has both 4 x 4 and
hiking routes along which fossils and even a Bushman grave can be seen. Up to a change of
ownership, all these routes were heavily booked. But considerable restoration was
required, so the new owners, Tolie and Alida Victor, closed all facilities until upgrading
could be completed. It's now back in the market and back in demand.

The Karoo National Park's Ou Schuur Project
is a winner. It was recently adjudged one of the best community projects of its kind, and
tourism officer Sidney Witbooi was invited to present details of its progress and future
development plans at a Best Practices Conference held at the Berg-'n-dal Conference Centre
at the Kruger Park. "It was an exciting experience to share ideas with
representatives from other tourism development projects at sister parks and to discuss our
ideas with international ecologists, representatives of world wild life organisations and
investment advisors," said Sidney.

A group of Prince Albert residents has
formed an association with the aim of restoring the town's historic mill. They feel that a
working Albert's Mill, the only one of its kind left in the Karoo, could be an important
tourist attraction. Mayor Dawid Rossouw still remembers playing at the mill as a child.
"There's nothing quite like the creaks and groans of a working mill," he said.
"These sounds were an intimate part of my childhood. The wheel rattled and sighed as
the stream trickled by. The water gurgled and cascaded over the wheel, spilling sunlit and
sparkling water into a whirlpool below. The gears whispered and whined as they set the
grumbling grindstones in motion. Then came the rush of grain to be slowly milled into
flour. In my childhood it was a patchwork world of strange sounds, filtered sunlight,
crystal clear water, strange odours and dark, gloomy shadows. I would love nothing more
than to make these sights, sounds and smells part of the world of today's children,"
he said. The committee, chaired by Derek Thomas, is involved in a huge research programme
and is seeking advice of experts such as Mr Ficinous, who restored the mill at Elim,
wheelwright Carel Alberts and Johanna Marx of the S A Heritage Resources Association. She
was involved in restoration of Mostert's Mill in Cape Town.

Before even stepping outside to explore,
guests at Kareebosch farm can experience the enchantment of the Murraysburg area. Farm
owners Willem and Carissa Smuts wanted to share the magic of their environment with
guests, so they asked local artist Janet Kingwill of Grand View to create typical Karoo
Amurals" for their accommodation lodge. "Exactly what to do was a challenge.
Eventually I decided to develop designs with local rock engravings as central theme.
Creating the designs involved considerable research as I wanted to be sure that everything
was typical of the Murraysburg area," said Janet. The designs have been highly
praised. Kareebosch lies in a beautiful area on the banks of the Buffels River and is an
ideal venue for birders, veld and nature study groups.

GAMKASKLOOF TAKEN INTO THE SKIES

Two photojournalists recently visited
Gamkaskloof to capture its atmosphere for in-flight magazines. D A Bloomer was taking
photographs for an article to appear in British Air's magazine, while Daleen Botha, a
freelance journalist, had been commissioned to prepare a similar feature for the SAA
magazine. Other journalists who recently explored the Hell, Swartberg Pass and little
towns of the Karoo were Heather Robertson, Andrew Donaldson, Andrew High and photographer
Ruvan Boshoff. This team is working on a series of features entitled "Rediscovering
South Africa" for the Sunday Times Lifestyle magazine. The Karoo generally did not
captivate them, but they loved Prince Albert so much they almost did not want to leave.
And, Beaufort West was given a boost when Tourism Bureau information officer Wendy
Anthonie discussed the town and its surrounds with Terrence April during a special
Saturday morning tourism programme on Radio Sonder Grense.

A man with strong ties to Prince Albert
played a key role in Winston Churchill's dramatic escape from prison during the Anglo-Boer
War. The story also has a modern-day link with one of Prince Albert's most elegant guest
houses. After the Boers captured Churchill, who was then the war correspondent for the
Morning Post, he was imprisoned at the State Model Schools in Pretoria. One of his fellow
prisoners was Adrian Jacobus Louw Hofmeyr, "Attie" to his friends, who, as the
second dominee called to Prince Albert, served the Dutch Reformed community there from
1883 to 1895. This suave, good looking and gifted preacher was a known political agitator.
His friendship with Cecil John Rhodes and Lord Alfred Milner drew him deeply into politics
and cost him his ministry. Suspended in 1899, he was banned from preaching for 25 years
and was 70 by the time he was restored. Hofmeyr, who was once investigated by the church
for a "romantic indiscretion," is the grandfather of Tessa Collins, owner of
Collins House. Attie Hofmeyr officiated at her mother's wedding in 1935, and Sheila
Collins, who now also resides at Collins House, has many stories relating to this
colourful, much-loved and multi-talented man. It was the renegade Attie Hofmeyr who gave
Churchill the slouch hat he used to disguise himself and slip past the prison guards to
freedom. His escape is described in Churchill - Wanted Dead or Alive, the recently
published book written by Sir Winston's granddaughter Celia Sandys. "Churchill
scrambled over the fence," she writes, "put on a slouch hat he had acquired from
Adrian Hofmeyr and had adorned at the last moment with a puggaree of the Transvaal
colours. He casually walked through the gardens, passing within five yards of the sentry
and out into the street. There were plenty of people about at that hour, but no one paid
any attention to a man humming a tune as he walked down the centre of Skinner
Street." In his book The Story of My Captivity, Adrian Hofmeyr wrote:
"Churchill's escape was a great to do. It stopped the whole machinery of State. It
paralysed the officials. It seemed to me that the war was forgotten."

A reader-friendly guide to the geology of
the Prince Albert area has been written by local resident Albert Theron. "Most
tourists marvel at the spectacular rock formations of the Swartberg and wonder how these
came about. Quite some scientific information is available, but it is beyond the
understanding of the layman. I thus decided a down-to-earth, easy-to-read approach was
needed," said Albert. The booklet, Prince Albert - Paleozoic to Present, covers the
formation of the Cape folded mountains, rock formations, minerals and geological
development of the Swartberg. It is obtainable from Prince Albert Tourist Bureau at R40
plus postage.

Mr Leon Markovitz has taken over
responsibility for tourism in the Government of the Western Cape Province. He replaces Mr
Hennie Bester, who has taken over the portfolio of Community Safety. In a recent cabinet
reshuffle, Mr Markovitz was appointed Minister of Finance, Business Promotion and Tourism.
He is also Minister in the Office of the Premier, and his responsibilities include the
Gambling Act. Mr Markovitzs is a director and shareholder in hotel, restaurant and
tourism related companies and has a keen interest in tourism in both the private and
public sectors. He served as a city councillor in Cape Town from 1980 to 1998 and was
mayor of the Mother City from 1985 to 1987. He served as Minister of Finance and
Development Planning (including responsibility for Gambling) in 1998. Mr Markovitz, 63, is
married to Anthula and there are six children.

A man who has crossed the magnificent
Swartberg Pass every week for the past 60 years joined a group of engineers, architects
and tourism promoters who met recently to discuss the preservation of the internationally
famous pass. In a plea to restore the pass, Pat Marincowitz, a veteran farmer in the area,
said: "I was a small boy when I first crossed this pass with my dad. Ill never
forget the excitement of that experience. Since 1946, I have driven my own car across it
once or twice a week. I know the pass, its ecology and moods very well. In its
117 year life it has seen all kinds of weather, a great variety of vehicles and many kinds
of people. Much has been written about it, but in the final analysis, I feel most of the
problems are caused by poor drainage in a 3 km section from just below DroŽ Waterval to
the Zig Zags. Four major storms hit this pass every year and tear the road to pieces
there." Pat paid tribute to the Central Karoo District Council in maintaining the
pass as a major tourist drawcard.

BUSINESS BOOMS IN THE SHADOW OF WAR

At the end of the 1800s the Karoo was
brimful with entrepreneurs despite the country being embroiled in the Anglo-Boer War.
Businessmen had sufficient confidence in the economy of the hinterland to launch new
ventures and carry extensive stocks. Newspapers of the day contained advertisements of
seasonal sales and announcements of "huge new stock" arrivals. The local plumber
in Beaufort West, C A Heyne, advertised in 1900 that he was extending his business and had
imported machinery to "bend iron for 50 to 400 gallon water tanks and to form single
and double bend veranda roofs." Among the bigger entrepreneurs were Bayer and
Davidoff, general merchants, who opened a huge new store in Beaufort West in November,
1901. They advertised an "enormous stock" which included "2 350 pairs of
boots and shoes, 2 800 shirts, 375 pairs of trousers, 150 suits, 300 dozen ties, 100
dresses, corsets from 2/6 to 15/-, 200 pieces of muslin, 50 pieces of silk, 50 different
kinds of hats for gentlemen from 3/6 to 35/-, a huge variety of sailor hats for men, women
and children, and sunshades and umbrellas from 3/6d." Bayer and Davidoff also stocked
linoleums, carpets, table cloths, curtains and groceries. Among their special opening
offers was coffee at sixpence a pound.

Tourists who recently visited the public
cemetery in Laingsburg praised the neatness of British soldiers graves. Several
buried there were wounded during a skirmish between British and Boers at Driefontein in
the Seweweekspoort area in 1901. The wounded were brought to town by Dr Morris for medical
care. A report in the Courier of September 19, 1901, states that one Boer died on the way.
The article mentions that Col Crabbes column received news of the enemys
whereabouts late one night. "The ninth column marched until two in the morning while
Marshalls Horse under Col Corbet proceeded towards them along a winding road. Col
Crabbes column included a squadron of Imperial Yeomanry and some men from the Prince
Albert Guard. They came up behind the enemy, completely surprising them and driving them
into the hands of Marshalls Horse. Col. Corbet and his men were holding a kloof and
thus completely blocked the enemys egress. The Boers fought rather feebly. Two guns
of the fifth battery of artillery shelled them as soon as the light permitted. The
prisoners in gaol include about ten local rebels."

South Africas new Basic Conditions of
Employment Act, recently passed by Parliament, has drawn much comment. The main focus has
been on overtime and the prescribed 45-hour working week. A glimpse into the past century
underscores just how much things have changed. In January, 1901, Alf Munton, proprietor of
the Queens Hotel in Beaufort West, wrote to the local newspaper, saying: "Employees
get very little time for recreation. Many local businesses commence work at 6 a.m. and do
not closing before 7.30 or 8 p.m. Granted staff get all day Sunday off and from l
oclock on Wednesdays. The former thanks to the law and the latter to employers. But,
I ask, can anyone take sufficient exercise and recreation in their time off to fit them
for the arduous duties imposed upon them by the 80 hours working week?" Alf Munton
then pleaded for an amiable solution: "We do not want to work every hour that God
sends us. So I propose the establishment of a Union and the payment of fees so that
holidays can be advertised for farmers in particular to plan their shopping days. At
present a holiday is suggested only a few days previous to the day it is granted."
Six months later, an official notice appeared in the Courier stating that as from June 15,
1901, Beaufort West Municipal offices would close from 1 p.m on Saturdays instead of
Wednesdays.

Head of socio-ecology at the Karoo National
Park outside Beaufort West, Stephanus Jooste, has been invited to attend a short
environmental ecology course in Denmark. He is one of six National Parks Board
socio-ecologists invited to Copenhagen by Dansard, a Danish organisation sponsoring
community projects in South African parks. They will complete a ten-day course covering
environmental education, the establishment and operation of specialist committees, the
preparation of funding applications and communications with best practices committees
outside South Africa.

Three farmers in the Krom River area near
Beaufort West have established a conservancy for the riverine rabbit, one of South
Africas the most endangered species. "A recent three-day seminar in
Stellenbosch, sponsored by the Pennsylvania Zoo and other USA organisations, prompted this
action by Monty Truter, David Jack and ourselves," said Hillary Steven-Jennings, of
Hillandale. "Research by Cape Nature Conservation has revealed many potential
habitats for these nocturnal creatures on Booyskraal, Bokpoort and Hillandale."
Riverine rabbits are only found in the Beaufort West and Victoria West areas of the Great
Karoo. They are severely endangered due to loss of habitat and hunting. "We have
already started education programmes," Hilary said.

Community-based tourism projects at the
Karoo National Park near Beaufort West have recently been granted major funding. This is
as a result of a cultural history research project conducted for the Karoo National Park
by Rose Willis, of the Central Karoo District Councils Regional Tourism Office, in
collaboration with the parks socio-ecology department, honorary rangers and
representatives from all communities in Beaufort West. The project, which has a firm
tourism and job-creation base, resulted in a possible funding of over Rl,5 million from
the Department of Economic Affairs and Tourisms Poverty Relief Fund as well as R50
000 from Danced, a Danish government organisation. The Ou Schuur project was also recently
adjudged one of the best of its kind at a Best Practices Congress at the Kruger National
Park.

SWARTBERG LODGE DOES IT AGAIN

The wine list at the Swartberg Country
Lodge in Prince Albert has won a Diners Club 2000 Platinum Award for the third year in a
row. It is one of only eight winners in the Western Cape and 14 in SA. Owners Blackie and
Lorraine Swart are delighted. The Diners Club merit awards were introduced to raise the
standard of wine available at accommodation venues and restaurants.

KAROOS FAMILY OF EAGLES GROWS

The magnificent booted eagle, once believed
to breed only in the northern hemisphere, is now also breeding in the Karoo. Raptor
researchers Rob Martin and Dawn Tyler recently discovered five nests between Three Sisters
and Beaufort West. "These are near Travalia at Three Sisters, in the Swartkloof area
on Montana, near Nelspoort, and on Lemoenfontein outside Beaufort West. There are nests in
the Karoo National Park, at De Hoop and near De Jagers Pass in the Beaufort West area as
well," said Rob, who works for the Department of Forestry at Stellenbosch University
and conducts raptor research as a hobby. "Before 1973, the booted eagle was thought
to be a rare, non-breeding migrant from Europe. In August of that year, my late father,
John Martin, saw a pair near Nieuwoudtville. They seemed to be aggressively chasing other
birds away from a nest. Experts were sceptical, but my father confirmed the nest. It was
the first ever found in the southern hemisphere. Since then we have recorded 183 nesting
sites and we estimate there could be about 700 pairs in South Africa.

Although we now know that the booted eagle
is a reasonably widespread breeding bird in the Western Cape, we continue the project
because it gives us so much pleasure." Rob and Dawn are no strangers to the Karoo.
They compiled the birding lists for Gamkapoort Nature Reserve and the Karoo National Park.
"Farmers interested in assisting should look for these eagles in wooded areas where
there are pillars of rock," said Rob.

In 1865, Irishman Joseph Michel Gilligham,
borrowed five wheelbarrows from the Beaufort West Municipality to celebrate the birthday
of "our most gracious majesty" Queen Victoria. Just over 30 years later his
eldest son, Solomon William, helped form the pro-Boer Irish Brigade that fought against
the British during the Anglo-Boer War. Then, in July 1900, Solomon and Lieutenant Tossel,
of the Transvaal police, tried to blow up the Pretoria magazine. They were caught and
deported to Ceylon. Hearing of these happenings was all Maurice Bennell of Bloemfontein
needed to search for more about this side of his family. The wheelbarrows especially
piqued his interest. He was not able to find out what his great grandfather, a staunch
Irish Catholic, and his friends, J Ferguson, J Clench, C V Fraser and B Morse, had in
mind. What he did discover was that Beaufort West Municipality agreed to loan them five
barrows in "good repair" so long as they "bound themselves to return them
in the same order and if they injured the barrows to repair them at their own
expense." Shortly after Joseph Gillingham arrived in Beaufort West he set up business
as a house painter, baker and butcher. He was a kind hearted man who died penniless
through allowing too much credit. After the Anglo-Boer War, Solomon returned from Ceylon
with a bride, Olive Stainton. Maurice is now trying to trace the story of their lives. He
would appreciate any information.

An amiable man of science, whom legendary
policeman Colonel Ulf Boberg described as the cleverest criminal hed ever met, once
charmed Beaufort Westers with his piano playing. This refined man was Dr Thornton, a
doctor of science, analytical chemist, world traveller, swindler and international
confidence trickster. In the 1930s, Colonel Boberg caught up with him in a small Free
State town. He writes in his book, The Boberg Story: "Thornton, then just past the
prime of life, was a tall, suave, well-built man with silvery hair. Polished and refined,
he dressed immaculately. His educated speech and impeccable manners inspired confidence.
Names of royalty, the rich and famous peppered his speech. Thornton also played the piano
excellently, as I learned during the preparatory hearing in Beaufort West. His cleverness
lay in the fact that he was satisfied to take a little from everyone. Few realised they
had been swindled. No one complained to the police." The FBI picked up
Thorntons trail when he swindled a rich American woman out of thousands of dollars.
Before they could trap him he vanished, only to turn up in London involved in similar
crimes. With Scotland Yard hot on his heels, Thornton disappeared. Then an advertisement
in leading South African newspapers caught Bobergs eye. It offered "£10 000
for immediate investment." He investigated and picked up Thorntons trail.
Eventually he caught up with him in the Free State. At first pleading innocence, Thornton
later admitted: "Mr Boberg, youve got me." Thornton skillfully handled his
own defence, but was found guilty on all counts. The Supreme Court sentenced him to 4Ĺ
years in prison for fraud. As he walked out of the courtroom he tapped Boberg on the
shoulder and said: "I regret coming to South Africa and getting caught by a local
detective when neither the FBI nor Scotland Yard could trace me. I congratulate you."
People called him a liar, charlatan and cheap trickster. But Boberg disagreed. To him
Thornton remained an enigma. "That he had a distinguished career I could not doubt.
And I wondered what else was true when I found an old newspaper photograph showing him
standing next to King Alfonso of Spain." Thornton died in prison.

A strange device in a window has brought
two princes together in cyberspace. Said to have magical properties, the device, a
Canadian Indian dream catcher, hangs in a window at Prince Albert Tourist Bureau. It set
Ailsa Tudhope thinking, so she began to browse the web in the hopes of finding out more
about dream catchers. She found a site for Prince Albert in Saskatchewan, Canada, and sent
them an e.mail. Cheryl Lavoie, Tourism and Convention Bureau Administrator, replied:
"It was wonderful to hear from you. I had not realised there was another Prince
Albert." The Princes are now exchanging brochures and information. Cheryl also
explained the purpose of the dream catcher. "The Indians believe that the night air
is filled with natural and supernatural thoughts. Some manifest as good dreams, others as
bad. These dreams all get caught up in the dream catcher. The good ones slip through the
centre hole and waft down to the sleeper, but the bad ones dont know the way, so
they stay tangled in the webbing and perish at first light."

Fragrant fields of lavender in the Karoo is
no more the stuff of fantasy. A little over a year ago, Annemarie Kroon planted a thousand
English lavender bushes in the Camdeboo Valley. This spring she will plant another
thousand on the farm Klipdrift near Graaff Reinet. "My vision is to eventually create
rolling fields of lavender. This will be a delight to see when they flower and the scent
will be heavenly on gentle Karoo breezes." Annemarie, with three children under four,
said starting the project was a hectic experience. Nevertheless, her lavender products are
already on shelves of up-market gift shops. "The range is small, but its success has
taken me by surprise. As yet there is little to see, but within a year I hope to conduct
tours around our farm to share the facts and fantasies of lavender with visitors."

In the 1930s, entrepreneurs planning economic
development of the Karoo proposed building a railway line through Meiringspoort to link
Beaufort West and Mossel Bay. This, they felt, would create new markets for the
south-western districts of the then Cape Province and so develop the infrastructures of
settlements on both sides of the Swartberg. A conference, attended by all public bodies,
businessmen, farmers and other interested parties was held at Mossel Bay in September,
1934. Delegates heard that the plan had been proposed a few years previously, but was
abandoned due to lack of finance. It was again under consideration. Approaches were to
being made to the Railway Administration and the Government to build a line from Le Roux
Station in the Klein Karoo to Beaufort West in the heart of the Great Karoo. Chambers of
commerce, farmers associations and local government organisations all supported the idea.
It was reported that the route for the line had already been surveyed. Cost of
construction was estimated at £400 000, or £7 000 a mile. Experts felt this was greatly
over-stated as "there were only six miles of Meiringspoort where hard rock may
present problems." Despite support and enthusiasm for the project, which all agreed
would open up "the most picturesque part of the country," the scheme was again
abandoned due to shortage of money.

An illiterate who uses a sophisticated
scientific system as an everyday tool has presented the Great Karoo to Dutch TV viewers. A
TV crew from the Netherlands recently visited the Karoo National Park to film the
ultra-modern CyberTracker wildlife management system for the popular Jules Unlimited
series broadcast by VARA. "Each 25-minute broadcast, designed to keep viewers abreast
of the latest scientific developments, has well over a million viewers," says
researcher Julia Greiner. "The programme relies on active hosts and good camera
angles to make viewers feel part of what they see." The man who uses the CyberTracker
and who put it through its paces for the TV team was Pokkie Benade, an illiterate but
expert game tracker. Pokkie's first contact with the park was 23 years ago when he worked
as a labourer on one of the teams contracted to clear the area so that it could be
proclaimed a national park. Once the park became a reality, Pokkie joined the permanent
staff. As the park developed, so he moved up through the ranks to become a field ranger.
"His keen eyesight and superb powers of observation made him an ideal choice,"
says park manager Leighton Hare. "Pokkie has never learned to read and write. At
first he tracked the animals on foot. Later he used a vehicle to reach specific spots and
then flitted from tree to tree like a shadow, recording the movements of various species.
Now he uses the CyberTracker, a computerised, satellite-linked system which makes use of a
Global Positioning System (GPS) to record the movement of individual animals, their
grazing patterns and footprints for a databank."

Matjiesfontein, the grand duchess of the
Karoo, has been given a facelift. Owner David Rawdon recently completed a major revamp and
refurbishment of the village and the Lord Milner Hotel complex. This included the
provision of new riverside accommodation, the creation of a conference centre and motor
museum. To celebrate the completion of the project he invited a small party of friends to
"an opening weekend." On arrival, they were transported into the elegant world
of Old England. They were required to "dress for dinner" before being conveyed
in a red London bus to a 1940's railways dining car to enjoy cocktails. A splendid dinner
in the Lord Milner's Victorian dining room followed. Much later, nightcaps to the music of
a minstrel group in the traditional pub set the folk dancing, some almost until dawn.
"It was wonderful. Gave us a taste of what Matjiesfontein must have been like in its
heyday," said one.

MATRIC PUPILS LEARN ABOUT TOURISM

Tourism is an exciting world with a wide
variety of job opportunities. This was the message given to matriculation pupils at
Mandlenkosi High School in Beaufort West by Central Karoo regional tourism co-rdinator
Rose Willis and Western Cape Tourism Board's co-ordinator of the Tourism Education Trust
programme Msi Nxele. Their talks were designed to create an awareness of the wider world
of tourism. "All too often people see a jobs in tourism as only guides, tour and
travel organisers, ticket booking services or information dissemination." said Rose.
" We tried to show them that there is wide scope with many exciting possibilities in
the world of tourism."

Beaufort West, Laingsburg and Murraysburg
delegates said they were given fresh impetuous by the Tourism Help Desk workshop recently
presented at the Karoo National Park by Charles Langdon and Bruno Dusman of Empower. The
programme, backed by the Department of Tourism, is designed to establish Tourism Help
Desks to assist with development of small, tourism-related businesses throughout each
region of the Western Cape Province..

Jan Schoeman, better known in the Karoo as
Outa Lappies, recently received the Tourism Personality of the Year award in the Western
Cape Tourism Board Premier's MTN Cape Tourism Awards competition. It was presented to him
by Western Cape Premier Gerald Morkel. Outa Lappies built a "Wall of Culture" on
the farm where he lives, Botterkraal, about 20km from Prince Albert. He is often seen
along the byways of the Karoo pulling his strange rickshaw which has attached to it a line
of rattling little "lighthouses" of dwindling size. This conveyance, his
colourful patchwork clothes and the wall of glass and shards intrigue tourists and
encourage them to stop for a chat on the road between Prince Albert and Prince Albert
Road.

The riverine rabbit in-pen breeding programme
at the Karoo National Park has come to a successful end. As agreed when this programme was
started almost seven years ago, four adult rabbits, three females and one male have been
returned to Jan Human, of Sandgat near Victoria West, who contributed breeding stock to
the original project at De Wild Research Centre, near Pretoria. "These were the only
rabbits still in the pens when we closed them down," said park manager Leighton Hare.
"We are thus confident a small colony has settled and are breeding naturally."
The two experts, Ken Coetzee of Conservation Management Services, and Dr Rod Randall, of S
A National Parks, recently completed phase one of a research project to identify rabbit
habitats in relatively flat terrain and on the edges of the escarpment. They combined
their expertise with remote sensing devices and digital satellite imagery to identify
habitats," said Leighton. "This clearly demonstrates how modern technology can
be used in conservation."

Members of Murraysburg's tourism committee are
beautifying this Karoo town by planting trees and flowers at strategic spots. "We
hope that by Christmas our village will be beautiful enough to encourage tourists to
stop," said project organiser Alida Vermeulen. Research reveals that the town once
before held a festive-tree planting day. This was back in 1902 to celebrate the coronation
of King Edward VII. An article in the Courier of August that year states:
"Notwithstanding the great trials Murraysburg has had during the years of war, there
was a good attendance of local residents and farmers from the district for the coronation
celebrations. With few exceptions there was a hearty show of goodwill. Rev Perold of the
Dutch Reformed Church preached a stirring sermon calling for loyalty to king and country.
After this an oak and acacias were planted and New Park was renamed Coronation Park.
Speeches were made by the Rev Perold, the mayor, Mr van der Merwe, the magistrate, Mr
Hudson, as well as Mr Sackville-West and Mr D Theron. The health of the king was drunk at
noon to great applause. In the afternoon horse races and other events were held and in the
evening a display of fireworks wound up one of the brightest days the town has seen for
years."

When Laingsburg mayor Mike Gouws heard of
German tourists stranded outside the village he personally sped to the rescue. This
greatly impressed Professor Wolfgang Mitter and his wife, who were on a conducted
exploration of the Karoo with Keith van der Schyff of Redwood Tours. Their vehicle broke
down a short distance from Laingsburg and Keith, a former resident, telephoned the village
to see if anyone would collect his passengers and take them to tea. "We were greatly
honoured and surprised to be told our good Samaritan was the mayor. He did us proud."
said Professor Mitter. "Not only did Mr Gouws show the visitors Laingsburg and its
surrounds, he entertained them with tales of its history and delivered them safely to the
farm where they were to have lunch. This is top class service," said Keith. Professor
Mitter, an expert in comparative education, met with tourism co-ordinator Rose Willis in
Beaufort West to discuss the Western Cape Tourism Board's Schools Training programme and
the Karoo National Park's Ou Schuur Information Centre and Community Project, which he
pronounced as impressive.

The Karoo forms part of the programme for
international Guernsey breeders attending a congress in South Africa next year. They will
explore the Karoo and Swartberg Mountains from Prince Albert from March 11 to 13. Their
programme includes drives through Meiringspoort and across the Swartberg Pass, a stroll
along the Koppie Bossie Trail, a historic tour of the village and a visit to the museum.
They will also enjoy safari drives, bird watching, a traditional braai and a breakfast at
Gays Dairy.

Eighteen Prince Alberters recently attended a
special training course arranged by Mari du Toit of the development committee. Thirteen
passed the tests. "The reason for this is that some people attended only to gain more
information about their town," said Mari "One of these was eight-year-old Lance
van Niekerk, who wanted to find out more about the cannon in the church grounds."
Badges and certificates were presented to these new info guides at the Tourist Bureau's
Annual General Meeting. These people will assist the bureau during major events such as
the Olive Festival.

Cape Nature Conservation is upgrading, refurbishing and stabilising most of
the historic buildings in Gamkaskloof, The Hell. R1,1m has been obtained for this
important project. Work has already progressed in some areas, while tenders are awaited in
others. The restoration of Oukloof, the oldest raw brick and clay farmhouse, has been
completed. This house, home of Zanie and Anita van der Walt, Nature Conservation officers
and full-time residents of the valley, revealed many of its secrets during restoration.
The house was stripped back to basics and this gave us a good deal of much-needed
historic information, said Zanie. It has now been totally restored and
repainted in its original colours. A small information and conference centre has also been
created. Many more tourists are now opting to overnight in Gamkaskloof as it offers a
prime eco-tourism experience."

While engineers worked on the flood-damaged road through Meiringspoort they
discovered extremely rare fish breeding in the rivers. "We actually found three fish
species in the river," said road engineer Roy Pietersen. "The three were the
Cape kurper, the slender, red-finned minnow and the small-scaled, red-finned minnow.
Both minnows are rare and highly endangered." At least 76
different bird species have been recorded in Meiringspoort. The diverse flora in this
poort is among the richest in the world. It has led to the development of some distinct
and beautiful species. A new information centre was openened at
the Waterfall, a popular stop in the centre of Meiringspoort. It is
already proving to be popular among tourists who stop at this site to picnic and
explore.

Willem and Carissa Smuts of Kareebosch have always wanted to share as much
as possible of the Murraysburg environment with visitors to their farm. It lies in a
beautiful area on the banks of the Buffels River, and was once the site of oil
explorations. Willem and Carissa wanted to reveal the enchantment of the area even before
visitors began to explore. So they asked local artist Janet Kingwill to paint
typical veld scenes on the walls of their accommodation lodge. I
developed local rock art engravings into murals. The designs, involving considerable
research, have been highly praised, says Janet.

Anglo-Boer War researcher Taffy Shearing has finished the third book in her
Commando Series. General Jan Smuts and His Long Ride, is a 248-page work, with nine maps
and 90 photographs. It costs R155. It follows the story of Smutss epic ride through
the Cape Colony during the Anglo-Boer War when he tried to elicit support for the Boer
cause. It covers an action-packed four-month period during which Smuts and his small force
experienced dreadful weather, endured hunger and faced the British in a series of dramatic
skirmishes. Leo Amery, author of The Times History of the Anglo- Boer War refers to
Smutss ride as the most daring raid of the war. Taffy and her husband,
David, followed Smutss route from the Orange River to OKiep. They also traced
the routes followed by Commandant Jaap van Deventer and a party of stragglers including
Denys Reitz, who ended up in Gamkaskloof, The Hell.

Walter C Raczkowski, tourism information officer of Beaufort, South
Carolina, in the USA, has extended an electronic handshake to Beaufort West in South
Africas Great Karoo. He sent an e.mail from www.BeaufortOnline.com to
Rose Willis, Central Karoo tourism co-ordinator. Wed love to know more about
your Beaufort. Please visit ours and explore our town by clicking on the
thumnails at http://ww2.isle.net/beauforttours/index.html
for a guided historic tour. You will be able to enjoy our magnificent
architecture and discover something of our history. Rose enjoyed the
tour and mailed Walter information on the Great Karoo and Beaufort West.

Concern for the preservation of the 112-year-old Swartberg Pass recently
prompted a group of Prince Albert design and construction professionals to research its
construction. Derek Thomas, John Whitton, Dick Metcalf, Pat Marincowitz and Gerry Skakal,
discovered a great deal of valuable historic information on the pass, a national monument
and increasingly popular tourist route. During construction, Thomas Bain stated he
would give the pass a good hat and good boots. This has stood the test of
time, says Derek Thomas. These dry-packed, stone retaining walls, arguably the
most awe-inspiring on all 19th century South African passes, range in height from half a
meter to a 13,1m section at Boegoekloof. Laws of friction and cohesion create a pressure
which secures both wall and road. The walls have a bed (ledge, base or shelf) of up to 1m
and measure 300mm at the top. Selected stone was used and laid with grain at right angles
to the natural bedding line. The walls were battered (sloped inward) in a rise of 1:6.
Large stones in the bedding provided good drainage. Bains original specifications
gave rule of thumb measurements for culverts and side drains, but he left no
clear instructions, and while these lasted well for over a century, with little damage,
the heavy rains over the past three years have taken their toll.

WHY THE DASSIE HAS NO TAIL

Dassies seem to laze away their lives basking in the sun throughout the
Karoo. What also intrigues many tourists is the close connection these furry little
creatures have with elephants, said to be their closest cousins. And then there is the
speed with which they evade black eagles in search of a meal. But Natasha Day, a Cape Town
schoolgirl, was more interested in why dassies have no tails. Research led her to an old
Xhosa legend. There was a time, it says, when Lion was King and only he
had a tail. He found his tail so useful he wanted all the other animals in his kingdom to
have one, so he had tails made in many different shapes and sizes. He instructed Baboon to
call all animals to Council Rock where they would each be given a tail. Everyone but
Dassie came. He was enjoying basking in the sun and far too lazy to move. Lion was angry,
but he nevertheless picked out a small furry tail and asked Monkey to take it to Dassie.
Monkey, a mischievous fellow, pinned the tail on to himself and told Dassie that Lion had
given it to him. Even this did not cause the lazy Dassie to react. And so, to this day,
dassies still have no tails.

ANCIENT TEMPLES BUILT BY SOPHISTICATED NATION

Archaeological researcher Dr Cyril Hromnik has discovered a number of Quena
shrines in the Murraysburg district. These are on Uitkyk, Coetzeeskraal and Quaggesdrift
(Round-up No. 83). The shrines vary in size, orientation and religious
dedication, he says This proves that the Great Karoo was not simply the domain
of the primitive Kung (Bushmen) hunter-gatherers. It was in fact the home of a
sophisticated nation of Quena metallurgists, astronomers, priests, pastoralists and drug
consumers. Dr Hromnik found a akti, or Mother Goddess shrine, and a
summer solstice observatory at Coetzeeskraal. The akti shrine, accessed
by an old stone stairway, still contains the stone offerings. Several features in the
observatory indicate its builders could work with the true amplitudes of solar movement
and that they understood how to derive calendaric values from the positioning of the
obersvation posts at critical points, says Dr Hromnik. The Temple of the Dead at
Uitkyk is cosmologically linked with several other shrines. This connected equinox
sunrise observatory exploits the interplay of the near and distant horizon in an ingenious
way. A sophisticated astronomical temple/observatory was also discovered and mapped
on Toorberg at Quaggasdrift.

It was with tales of her youth that Betty Weatherhead came home to celebrate
her 94th birthday and entertain friends and family in Prince Albert. Betty was born in the
village in 1906. After attending the local school, she matriculated at a boys high
and later qualified as a teacher. She returned to her beloved Prince Albert to marry and
also had to write the report of her wedding for the Prince Albert Friend as there
was no one else to do it. Betty says: Cecil John Rhodes played a major
role in my parents marriage. He twice employed my dad to transport men to the then
Rhodesia. This endowed dad with a special status and allowed him to catch the eye of a
beautiful young Devonshire lass, Bessie Woodman, at the time visiting her sister,
whod married Prince Alberts Dr Stephenson. Dad escorted her to and from St
Johns Engelse kerk and eventually they were married in this
lovely little Anglican church. Our religious upbringing was strange. My sisters and I
accompanied Mom to Anglican services, while our brothers went with Dad to the Dutch
Reformed Church. We were all sent to the DRC Sunday School and I am still able to sing
Afrikaans hymns and carols. My mom valiantly tried to learn Afrikaans but her faux pas
created so much mirth she gave up. My earliest memories of Prince Albert are of ostrich
feathers and garlic bags. We lived here through a feather boom, an unequalled time of
elegance, and the Spanish flu, a period of immense sadness. My mother accompanied
the Anglican priest, who rode a motorbike with sidecar, to minister to ill parishioners.
She hung on to her hat with one hand and clung to a little medical bag , which among other
things included garlic, with the other. Prince Albert will always have a special
place in my heart.

The mysterious doctor FBC now has a name. The story about a
silver cigarette case, presented to a Beaufort West doctor by a grateful patient in 1901
(Round-up No 83) sent historian Elizabeth van Heyningen searching through old Cape Medical
Registers. She discovered that Frederick Burke Carron practised in the Karoo in 1911.
He graduated in 1898 with standard MRCS (Member of the Royal College of
Surgeons and LRCP (Licenciate of the Royal College of Physicians) qualifications.
What brought Carron to the Karoo is not known. He may have come to assist the British
medical forces during the Anglo-Boer War, enjoyed the Great Karoo and simply stayed until
1911. This information was e.mailed to Phil Berkowitz in Canada, who now owns the
cigarette case. He replied: Im amazed at what your research has revealed.
Knowing the provenance of an antique gives it special meaning. Your detective work is
appreciated. This glimpse into the past made my day.

The search for an isolated South African village with
tourist appeal finally took German TV producer Mark Kaczmarczyk to Murraysburg in the
Great Karoo. He loved it all - the town, its people and the area. It reminded him of
Arizona in the US. So, with a cameraman Robert Leithner and sound engineer Alexander
Seidel, from Tango Films in Germany, Mark spent two days capturing the spirit of
Murraysburg for VOX Television Network in Cologne, Germany. The edited footage will form
part of an hour-long documentary for their highly-rated, popular, weekly VOXTours travel
series. This prime time show, now in its eighth year, offers over two-million viewers a
fascinating look at unusual tourist destinations around the globe. It is broadcast in
Germany every Sunday and simultaneously beamed to the rest of Europe via satellite.
"The show is no ordinary travelogue," said Mark. "Each broadcast features
five or six stories focussed on people. It introduces viewers to a countrys
geographic beauty, wildlife, cultural history and developments through their eyes. The
programme is representative, objective, varied and uncritical. Every story has its own air
of authenticity." Murraysburgs magic mountain and fountain enchanted the crew,
who filmed a cross-section of people from students to the oldest resident, Miekie van
Rooyen, who is over 100. With an old friend, Etta Oosthuizen, she reminisced about
"the good old days." A splendid sunset, a late organ recital by Hermien Botha
and a braai at the home of Oskar and Elsie Smuts, with old-fashioned "sing
a-long" to strumming guitars added the finishing touches.

HERMAN DE WITT - A GREAT LOSS TO TOURISM

Herman de Witt, a man who ceaselessly worked to develop and
promote the Central Karoo, died at the Panorama Clinic in Cape Town on February 2, 2001.
He was 74. He served on committees of many institutions in Beaufort West, the region and
the province, and tourism was one of his major interests. He supported its development at
every level. He was chairman of the Regional Tourism Organisation, and for a time served
as a member of the Western Cape Tourism Boards Marketing Committee. He was also
chairman of the Beaufort West Tourist Bureau. Mr De Witt is survived by his wife Hilda,
son Pierre, daughter Elsa Tromp and two grandchildren.

PRAISE FROM THE PRESIDENT

The Karoo National Park stole the heart of President Thabo
Mbeki and his wife Zamele when they visited there on December 30, last year. "This
was our very first time in this park, and what a wonderful experience. Here will grow and
develop one of our countrys best national parks, teeming with plants and wild
animals to whom the Karoo belongs. Then should we all return, not to intrude, but
ourselves to become part of the stark and unforgiving beauty and the haunting tranquillity
of the erstwhile home of our ancestral Khoisan. We are proud of those who exercise such
loving guardianship over this national heritage," the President wrote in the
visitors book.

KAROO S THE PLACE FOR BIBLIOPHILES

The dry air of the Karoo has long been praised for its
medicinal properties. Now, it seems, it can also save books. According to a recent SA
Garden and Home article on old and rare books, they are under severe threat and some are
even on death row. Books published in the 100 years between 1870 and 1970 were printed on
paper made from wood pulp with short fibres and a high acid content. At best, the cheaper
versions of this will only last for another 20 years, perhaps even less due to the high
level of acid pollution in the atmosphere. Antiquarian booksellers, however, agree that
the dry air of the Karoo is an excellent preserver of books. Paul Mills, owner of
Clarkes Africana, said: "Of course, not all books will turn to dust. Some were
printed on superior paper. And, no matter how many times the prophets of doom predict the
end of books, it will never happen. Nothing can replace the joy of owning a good book, nor
the compulsion of book collecting as a hobby."

FIRE DAMAGES ONE HOTEL, ANOTHER CLOSES

A fire, thought to have started in a piece of electronic
equipment, almost destroyed the 150-year-old Swartberg Country Lodge in Prince Albert at
the height of the festive season. According to owner Blackie Swart "it seems to have
started in the office in the early hours of December 16 and spread rapidly, consuming
historic photographs, paintings and irreplaceable antiques. Only the prompt action of the
local police service prevented it from gutting the building. No one was injured in the
blaze, but sadly Elizabeth Dippies Ockers, who had been in the hotels
employ for over 25 years, suffered a fatal heart attack after arriving at the scene."
He added that the hotel would be closed indefinitely so that damage could be assessed and
repairs undertaken. The Swartberg was first opened in 1864 by John Dyson junior. It has
changed hands many times, but has always been central to Prince Albert tourism. Beaufort
West has also lost one of its landmark hotels. The Royal Hotel, which first opened in
1871, closed at the end of last year. The hotel is to be sold.

NEW FACE AT PRINCE ALBERT TOURIST BUREAU

Prince Alberts new tourism information officer,
Raylene van der Berg, 27, has deep roots in the Karoo. Her familys links with the
area stretch back to the turn of the last century when her paternal grandfather, Ishmail
Roberts, decided to explore the hinterland. He was an Indian and had arrived in Cape Town
by ship from St Helena. Ishmail wanted to know what lay beyond the mountains and set off
into the interior. On his adventures he met and married a lovely coloured lass from Prince
Albert. "Sadly, Ishmails family disowned him, but my grandparents love
for each other and the Karoo carried them through. My mothers family, also Prince
Alberters, spent many years in Beaufort West. "While growing up I visited them often
and learned much about that area," said Raylene. "A born and bred Prince
Alberter, I have inherited my grandparentss love for the Karoo and enjoy nothing
more than sharing my knowledge gained over many years with visitors. All I want is for
them to experience the beauty of the Karoo as I do." Raylene is no newcomer to
tourism. For the past four years she worked at the Prince of Africa and as a receptionist
at the Swartberg Country Lodge. She is married to Phillip and they have two children,
Phillipa,7 and Ryan, 5.

TALE OF A STRIPED PIG WHO WENT TO WHITE RIVER

The picture of a cute papier machť pig, striped like a
zebra, captivated Yvonne OBrien, of White River, as she read the accompanying story
on Murraysburg in the November issue of Country Life. She is a keen collector of papier
machť, pigs and zebras. So, Yvonne absolutely had to have the striped pig. However, Judy
Butterworth and the staff of Grootplaats farm, who make these items, had already consigned
the precious pig to a sales point. A string of phone calls found him still
languishing on a shelf at Three Sisters Farm Stall. Then, an orchestrated chain of
"by hand" deliveries eventually saw the zebra-like porker off by post on his
journey northwards from the Regional Tourism Office at Beaufort West. He was only one of
the items the Murraysburg crafters sold after the magazine article appeared. There was
quite a demand for christening dresses, stained glass work, pottery, knit wear, embroidery
and "bliktrommels." A man from Gauteng could almost not believe "people
still hand knitted socks" and ordered several pairs for winter.

A Welsh railway enthusiast recently combined his holiday in
the Karoo with an exploration of the railway lines and old stations. "I have read
much about the early South African railway system as one of my ancestors worked for the
Cape Colonial Railways in the 1800s," said Emlyn Evans. "My research reveals
there were several accidents in the Karoo. Seventeen people were killed at Matjiesfontein
in l898, and a year later nine died at Three Sisters when the second section of a train
ran into the first. There was a serious accident at that station two days after the
outbreak of the Anglo-Boer War according to Lawrence Greenes book When the
Journeys Over." Greene writes of a train carrying refugees colliding with a
stationary train at Three Sisters station and quotes a dramatic report in the newspaper,
Black and White: "Coaches telescoped on impact and carriages overturned. Men and
women of all nationalities and temperaments suddenly found themselves face to face with a
painful death, entangled and entrapped by a mass of twisted steel and iron and smothered
with debris of splintered wood and broken glass. The lights went out. The night was cold
and dark. It was thought that the engine driver, who had been on duty for 36 hours, fell
asleep. Eight passengers were killed and many injured. Some were trapped beneath the
wreckage. Help was long in coming as communications were slow. Rescue teams from Beaufort
West arrived three-and-a-half hours after the accident. By then uninjured passengers had
built fires and by their light searched the wreckage for the injured."

The editor of an international website covering the ghosts
of the world has discovered the spectres of the Karoo. D W Hauck e.mailed Regional Tourism
officer Rose Willis for more details. A keen ghost hunter herself, Rose was able to supply
several snippets on the ectoplasmic side of tourism. She will from time to time keep them
supplied with new material. So, if you have a good ghost story and would like to share it
internationally or with local researcher Sian Hall, please let Rose know.

UNSUAL NEST FOR ELUSIVE BIRD

Ecologists searching for eagles in the Karoo found instead
a pair of rare warblers whod chosen a curious place to live. "These
cinnamon-breasted warblers, among the most elusive birds in the Karoo, were building a
nest in the lowest leaves of a short-stemmed aloe microstigma," said Rob Martin, who,
with his mother Elsie, and fellow researcher Dawn Tyler, was combing the Karoo for booted
eagle nesting sites. "We saw warblers on a hillside near Hutchinson Station. As we
watched one flew to and from the nesting site carrying beaks full of plant down. It later
diligently searched in the crevices of a rocky outcrop apparently collecting spider
webs," wrote Rob. Japie Claassen, editor of Beaufort Wests William Quinton Wild
Bird Societys newsletter Die Drawwertjie said: "What makes this exciting is
that cinnamon-breasted warblers are very difficult to spot."

It now emerges that the mysterious doctor with the silver
cigarette case also treated the legendary Gideon Scheepers. Professor J C Kay
de Villiers has unravelled more of the mystery surrounding Dr FBC whose cigarette case
ended up on an antique auction in Canada. (Round-up 83 and 84). "As Dr Elizabeth van
Heyningen found out his name was Frederick Burke Carron and he qualified in England in
1898," writes Prof. De Villiers, "Dr Carron obviously came to South Africa as a
civil surgeon during the Anglo-Boer War because he is mentioned in Gideon Scheeperss
diary where his name is spelled with an e instead of an o. On
October 19, 1901, Scheepers wrote that he was taken to hospital in Beaufort West and
treated very well by Captain Evans, Dr Carren and Matron Johnson. One assumes this was at
No 26 Stationary Hospital, established on May 3, 1901. There is little doubt that the
nurse (? matron) was Sister G Johnson, the only nurse of that name known to have worked in
that hospital. The captain, Percy Evans, R A M C, was awarded a DSO in France in 1915.
After completion of his contract, Dr Carron must have opted to stay on in South Africa
because he registered to practise in this country in 1902. The1913 Register of Medical
Practitioners in the Union of South Africa shows Dr Carrons last address as
Brockville, Ontario, Canada. This then must be the route the cigarette case took to
Canada. Mr Berkowitz may try to find out if Dr Carron registered to practise in Canada.
Their medical registers will reveal this. Mr Berkowitz may also be able to locate an
obituary which would tell us more of Dr Carrons life."

NO INDIAN CONNECTION, SAYS ARCHAEOLOGIST

Head of the Department of Archaeology at the University of
Cape Town, Professor Andrew Smith, has taken issue with Dr Cyril Hromnik regarding shrines
linked to Dravidian Indians in the Karoo. "Professional archaeologists simply do not
accept this idea. We are all aware of Dr Hromniks theories, but we are not inclined
to believe that these structures were built by people with Indian connections. They would
rather seem to be hunting hides, schantzes or shepherd shelters," he said.

Carefully planned development would create a better quality
of life throughout the Karoo, according to Doreen "Thiwe" Hugo, the first mayor
of the Central Karoo District Municipality. "Every effort is being made to promote
tourism to so capture a larger slice of both the domestic and international market
sectors. Tourism will assist us to develop the area, build the infrastructures of our
small towns and villages and strengthen the regions economy. We aim to bring tourism
closer to our previously disadvantaged communities so that they may share its benefits and
experience a better quality of life. Several projects to make this dream a reality are now
in the pipeline." Mrs Hugo, a resident of Murraysburg, was inaugurated as mayor at a
function in Beaufort West on March 2. In her acceptance speech Mrs Hugo vowed to serve the
interests of all communities, promote job creation and economic development and build a
non-racial culture throughout the region. "President Thabo Mbeki, in his State of the
Nation Address, announced that the Central Karoo had been identified as an area for
strategic integrated rural development. He plans to visit the region again within short
for further discussions. Our President has fulfilled his promise on the Karoo. It is now
up to us to prove we are worthy of his trust." Mrs Hugo called on her fellow
councillors to "work together, to support development efforts and so ensure that the
Karoo becomes a jewel in the crown of Africa."

The SABC breakfast TV show Morning Live will be broadcast
from the Transkaroo Express on March 16. Programme producer and tourism editor Linky
Bierman said: "When the show opens at 06h00, the train will be near Leeu Gamka, and
for the two hours we are on the air we will be travelling through the Great Karoo. This is
the first time we will broadcast from a train, and it may even be a world first for a
breakfast TV show."

PRIVATE NATURE RESERVE PLANNED

There are plans to develop a private nature reserve on a 1
200ha section of land south of Alberts Watermill in Prince Albert. The property,
which stretches into Oukloof and up to Eerstewater, was recently acquired by Ian Uys of
Knysna. Ian and four partners have registered a trust and applied to Cape Nature
Conservation to have the area declared a nature reserve. Ian presented plans for the
reserve to local residents at a recent meeting in Prince Albert. After an environmental
assessment has been done, the trust aims to build a swimming pool, ablution block and
lapa. There are also plans to develop a perpetual waterfall and a caravan park. A hiking
trail has already been laid out in the "Ein Gedi" valley of the Oukloof area.
"A horse trail and 4 x 4 route are also on the cards," says Ian.

"Painting blends well with the relaxing atmosphere of
the Karoo," says artist Christine Thomas. She and Mary Anne Botha, both of whom have
fine arts degrees, are now planning a series of Karoo art workshops for the third year in
a row. The first is an intensive three-day workshop, including studio and outdoor
sessions, tutored by Prof. Greg Kerr. It takes place from May 8 to 11 and costs R600 per
person. Prof. Kerr is an internationally known artist, who until last year headed the
Department of Fine Arts at Stellenbosch University. He is now starting an art school in
Port Elizabeth and hopes to conduct regular classes in the Karoo. Christine and Mary Anne
will tutor two Art Weekends in Prince Albert from June 15 to 17 and July 20 to 22. These
will cost R300 per person. Then a water colour workshop, tutored by Richard Rennie, who
has exhibited in South Africa and abroad, will be held from August 14 to 17, at the cost
of R600 per person. "These workshops have become very popular. The main reasons are
the richness of colour in autumn and the softer light of winter. Early booking has become
essential, particularly for water colour sessions," says Christine.

In 1875, there were those who thought a railway line across
the vast plains of the Karoo would be "a waste of time." According to a report
in the Cape Times of April 1,1875, "Members of Parliament have divergent
opinions about the prospective new railway line. Some feel that the main route should be
through Robertson and George because those districts are far wealthier than the Karoo.
Those opposed to the Karoo line believe that the Colony will be bankrupt before the line
is completed and that it will have to end permanently at Beaufort West. Those in favour of
the Karoo route argue that Beaufort West and the Ghoup are prosperous wool producing areas
and that there is a possibility of manganese, coal, silver and lead being exploited there
in the future. At this stage, they say, wheat and wine of Robertson and George are not
even suitable for export."

A COSIER KIND OF KITCHENER

Hard-bitten General Herbert Horatio Kitchener, the man who
decided in 1901 to build blockhouses across the African plains in an effort to stop the
Anglo-Boer War, actually has a knitting stitch named after him.. Many soldiers considered
him a hard and difficult man and some even referred to him as the "squint-eyed
misogynist of Khartoum." The stitch, it seems, shares the characteristics of the man.
"Knitters agree the stitch is typical of Lord Kitchener," says Nancy Shroyer of
Nancys Knit Knacks at knitten@mindspring.com.
"It is very difficult to make and more difficult to explain. The Kitchener stitch
seems to date back to the war when everyone was knitting for the forces. It takes no less
than ten steps to explain. But once you master it, youll find you cant do
without it when you have a sock to finish or a grafting job to do. Its so popular we
sell it on laminated cards which slip onto a keyring..."

The phantoms of the veld, mentioned in Round-up No. 85,
drew wide response. Not only did journalists and radio interviewers in search of
interesting material follow up on these spectres, but readers also rounded up a few more
and sent in stories for publication. Among the tales that whet the appetites of ghost
hunters were anecdotes of the old Seweweekspoort tollkeeper, who waves his lantern to warn
travellers of danger during bad weather, the Smous of the Swartberg, who often
"hitches" a ride with tourists, the "Oog" at Beaufort West, and many
other wandering, wafting, wailing wraiths.

Hotbox, Beaufort Wests disco, jazz and regae band, is
among the top in the Western Cape Province. The band came fourth in the last "Battle
of the Bands" competition in Atlantis. Hotbox, named after the hot central area of
the Karoo, was started eight years ago when seven jobless men from the towns under-
privileged community got together to "make music." "Weve never looked
back," said organiser Novello Mack, now also Speaker of the Central Karoo District
Municipality. "Our music seems to bring as much joy to those who hear it as it does
to us who play it."

THE DAY THE FUTURE CHAIRMAN WAS JAILED

The man who became chairman of the board of the Old Mutual
in 1920 was once jailed in Beaufort West. Historical researcher Dr Dawn Gould, of Facts
Found, discovered this in a letter to his mother from John X Merriman, last Prime Minister
of the Cape Colony. Dated January 3, 1901, it states: "Attorney J G van der Horst was
today thrown into prison in Beaufort West for 12 hours." Dawn says: "This may
have had something to do with Van der Horst being a member of the Afrikander Bond. In
1910, he became editor of The Cape, a Cape Town weekly newspaper. He was later
appointed managing director of Fletcher and Cartwright, and in 1920 invited to join the
board of Old Mutual."

Prince Albert Tourism Bureau is soon to embark on a tightly
focussed marketing campaign. The town and its products will be marketed at the annual
Klein Karoo Kunstefees from April 7 to 14. This is a platform that Prince Albert has
successfully used since the inception of the Kunstefees. Then also, marketers will attend
Indaba, South Africas huge annual travel trade show in Durban from April 21 to 25.
The bureau will be part of the Route 62 Stand and will promote the Swartberg Loop along
this route. This loop encourages tourists to explore the passes of the Swartberg Mountains
and sightsee in the Great Karoo. This years Indaba will focus on emergent tourism
products. For the first time in its history the show will "significantly
reflect" new tourism ownership, say the organisers.

In a spirit of co-operation, Beaufort West and Oudtshoorn
have moved closer to promote tourism. Pierre Nel, director of Oudtshoorn Tourist Bureau,
was invited to address a gathering of all tourism roleplayers in Beaufort West recently.
He stressed the importance of local bureaus in the tourism mix and the necessity for such
bureaus to be supported by local business. "All too often, local business does not
see itself as part of tourism. But, it is essential that every business, from
supermarkets, through to shoe shops, outfitters to estate agents, supports the bureau.
Chemists, doctors and even undertakers should join because people get ill and some even
die on holiday. As the Western Cape tourism slogan says: Tourism is everyones
business."

RIVER DAMPS DOWN COAL FIND

In 1890, coal was discovered near Klaarstroom in the Karoo.
It was found on Almero Oosthuizens farm, Vischgat. According to reports it was
"of good quality and burned perfectly." A mine was started, but it was too close
to the river. Within short the mine flooded and was abandoned. The dump is still visible.

The first off-road race in the Great Karoo
is being planned for later this year. Interest in the proposed event is high, and it could
eventually attract about 250 competitors, says Pete van der Walt, a director of Motor
Sport SA. The course will be laid out in the Merweville area and tested later this year.
Pete evalauated the proposed 50km route recently when he visited the area with Kallie le
Roux of Springbok Lodge. "The course will cross a wide variety of rugged and
challenging terrains," said Pete. "From the village it snakes out across Johan
Maraiss nearby game farm, Buffelsvlei. Here the terrain is rugged enough to offer an
ideal test for men and machines. We hope to start off with about 80 cars, 60 off-road
bikes and 40 quads and build this up to a national event which could attract over 250
competitors." The Merweville course will need to be completed twice.
"Competitors will race along the route, return to the village to refuel and dash off
on the second 50km leg. In total, this should take about four hours. At the end of this
one-day event there will be a traditional braai and prize-giving. For further information
telephone 083-255-6931.

It was recently illustrated in Beaufort
West just how drinking a cup of coffee can stand in line with amazing happenings. The old
airport outside town was given a South American flavour as a TV production team from
McKenzie Rudolph in Cape Town created a Cuban-style coffee shop alongside the runway. The
"Cubans" were all Beaufort Westers. They staffed airport counters, acted as
waiters and porters and one even drove a ramshackle bus. The main character in the story
line is an American actor whose life is totally changed by a cup of Nescafť, explained
location manager Lester Sweetman. "He arrives, meets the pilot of a Dakota and after
a cup of coffee they fly off into the wild blue yonder to amazing adventures. Eventually
the aircraft crashes, leaving the two heroes stranded on a desert island. All it took to
change his life from hum-drum to high adventure was a cup of Nescafe. The two-day shoot
went wonderfully well. Producer Roy Rudolph and the crew found the people of Beaufort West
extremely helpful. The advertisement will be screened on American television later this
year. Theres an outside chance that it will also be shown locally." Lester paid
tribute to Georg Baumgartner, of the Sandcastle Guest House, and the staff at the Oasis
Hotel. "Their co-operation made this a truly enjoyable and memorable job," he
said.

WHY QUAGGA?

Most visitors to the Karoo National Park
pause to study the quagga information posters presented by Rheinold Rau when he last
visited. Rheinold, from the SA Museum and who did much of the ground work to obtain DNA
from the skins of museum specimens for the Quagga Breeding Project, now monitors its
progress. One of the most frequently asked questions is: "Why quagga,
what does the name mean?" "Quagga or kwa-ga comes from an old
Hottentot word which imitates the sound the animals made," he said. "It is
spelled in a variety of ways, according to the language in which it is used. Pronounced
correctly, the double g is a guttural ch, as in the Scottish word
loch. Emphasis is on the first syllable." Generally, the extinction of
the quagga is attributed to ruthless hunting by colonists and those who came to South
Africa specifically to hunt. It is said the flesh was enjoyed by farm labourers and the
skins made ideal leather grain bags. Great quantities of quagga hides were exported in the
19th century to meet leather demand in Europe. Many of these skins came from the Beaufort
West area. Rheinold has copies of old letters from Mr P Dale, a Beaufort West town
councillor of the time, to the head of the museum in Cape Town regarding quagga skins he
donated. He appears to have searched out many fine examples for display.

It has now come to light that Olive
Schreiners husband Cron was a keen collector of spiders. Dr Dawn Gould, of Facts
Found, discovered this while working on a research project. "Samuel Cron
Cronwright-Schreiner, the Member of the Legislative Assembly for Beaufort West from 1904
to 1910, collected arachnids, mostly for museums," she writes. "Because of his
opposition to the Anglo-Boer War he was confined under military supervision at Hanover
where he collected trapdoor spiders. When Cron married Olive, who was closely associated
with Matjiesfontein, he agreed to add Schreiner to his surname, but he was not the first
member of this family to do so. Cronwright is a combination of Cron, his
paternal grandmothers maiden name, and Wright, his grandfathers
surname."

BROCHURE BRINGS BACK MEMORIES

Writing to offer his compliments on the new
Beaufort West brochure, Woody Nel, a former resident, had this to say: "It brought
memories flooding back. When I saw the picture of the church I recalled the memorial to
General the Reverend Paul H Roux, who surrendered at the Brandwater Basin in 1900. He
served the Beaufort West Dutch Reformed Congregation from 1905 to 1911. I also remembered
being told that the Tommies used the clock face of the Moederkerk as a target during the
Anglo-Boer War. I climbed all the way up to find out if this was true. Sure enough, on
closer inspection I was able to see where repairs had been done on the eastern face to
bullet holes. For a number of years we lived at No 4 Hattingh Street in Hospital Hill.
While I was aware that during the Anglo-Boer War the British had a camp nearby, I was not
quite sure where. Imagine my surprise when while gardening one day I dug up a few live
.303 rounds. The pick-axe actually cut one in two. Fortunately there was no
explosion..."

Animals meant much more to the San people
than merely a source of food. Jeremy Hollmann, of the Rock Art Research Centre at the
University of the Witwatersrand, says: "The eland, for instance, is drawn in the
greatest number of postures and perspectives. The southern San believed the eland to be
the favourite animal of /Kaggen, the Mantis, a trickster-deity and spiritual being. They
also believed all animals were servants to the eland. This perhaps explains why the eland
is so frequently depicted in the rock art of so many regions. The San appear to have had
several areas where they felt they could not cope by themselves. Whenever the shamans had
to cure the sick, go on out-of-body journeys or control the movements of antelope herds,
they reached out for supernatural powers. Animals were a source of this extra power, and
chief among them was the eland. The largest antelope in Southern African, it was a much
desired source of meat and fat. The eland is very symbolic in San culture. It is central
to four rituals: a boys first kill, a girls puberty, marriage and the trance
dance. San artists seem to have lavished great attention and care on their drawings of
this sacred animal."

BISHOP SEES A SEA OF STONES

When Robert Grey, the first Anglican Bishop
of Cape Town, saw the Karoo for the first time he described it as "a great sea, a
huge, barren, stony plain with barely a house upon it." To reach what he described as
"the beautiful village of Prince Albert at the foot of the Swartberg," he tells
of travelling through the night and all through the next day, stopping occasionally for an
hour to rest the horses. "At seven in the evening, we reached Prince Albert after
travelling over a very stony and hilly road and through the most dreary and monotonous
country. The day was intensely hot. On arrival we were greeted by Mr Borcherds, the
excellent magistrate. We were hospitably received by Mrs Honeyborne, whose son keeps a
store in the village. (This later became Forsyths store). Prince Albert is 13 years
old, and very beautifully situated at the foot of the mountains." A report dated
1855, states that a coach trip from Cape Town to Vlakkraal, near Prince Albert Road
Station, normally took 48Ĺ hours. The coach stopped every eight hours for fresh horses.
Transport riders were given precedence on the roads. A bugle was regularly sounded to warn
other road users that they were coming. Vlakkraal was the coach stop on the main route to
the north where travellers for Prince Albert disembarked. They were taken to Prince Albert
by contractors with horses and carts. They offered visitors a choice of staying at little
hotels along the way.

COUNTRY LIFE HELPS SPREAD THE
WARMTH

A mohair jersey knitted in Murraysburg in
the Karoo is now on its way to Czechoslovakia. After sending last Novembers issue of
Country Life to her daughter in Prague, Mrs A Leibrandt, of Somerset West, heard by reply
that her daughter would love to have one of Elsie Smutss mohair jerseys, as was
featured in the magazine. Mrs Leibrandt ordered a black one. "This jersey was one of
the best I have ever knitted," says Elsie, who proudly displayed it to friends before
posting it. "I also recently received an order from Germany. I am tickled to think
that my handwork will keep people of such cold countries warm through the winter."
Alex Cremer, the Country Life photo-journalist who put Murraysburg on the map, has now
visited Merweville.. "I loved the warm-hearted friendliness of the people. And I was
greatly impressed by the cleanliness of the streets and surrounding environment. Obviously
no litter-bugs live in this community," said Alex.

Fifty children from ten Beaufort West
schools recently spent a weekend at the Karoo National Parks Mountain View camp to
discuss important issues. Each school selected five top pupils from Grades 7 and 8.
"These children were chosen for their strength of character and leadership
qualities," said Bernie Gordon, of Beaufort West Safe Schools and Aids Action Group,
one of the sponsors of the outing. "During the two days these young people discussed
life skills, youth defensibility, sexuality, Aids and moral values. Television language
and programmes came in for quite some criticism. Tourism and the ecology were a high
priority. Most of the youngsters felt the Karoo was a special place worthy of being shared
only with responsible tourists. The general consensus was that the environment was sacred
and must not be destroyed. Participants emphasised that dumping and littering had to be
stopped. They felt we had to show that we respected our fauna and flora before we could
expect tourists to visit and enjoy the Karoo," said Bernie.

Making their early way to Gays Dairy
in Prince Albert recently, researchers Richard Dean and Sue Milton spotted a red-breasted
sparrowhawk. "It was an adult male carrying prey, a Eurasian starling, to a female in
a nest at the top of a pine tree in Church Street. While she contentedly fed her chicks on
the offering, the male bird flew off and soon reappeared with another serving of
starling," said Sue. "We have recorded six sightings of rufous-breasted
sparrowhawks and one juvenile black sparrowhawk in this area over a 15-year period, all in
the woodland fringing town. Weve never had such visitors nesting in the main street.
It is remarkable how unobtrusive these sparrowhawks can be."

Tourism was a powerful partnership, but only the
surface had been scratched in efforts to create a closer working relationship between all
sectors of the industry, the Western Cape Minister of Finance, Business Promotion and
Tourism, Mr Leon Marcowitz, said when he addressed tourism roleplayers at an Oudtshoorn
road show recently. "The image of tourism is still too fragmented. We also have far
too many logos and structures," he said. "Image is important, and so is
marketing. We must focus and streamline our marketing approaches, spend more wisely and
research the value of niche markets to build tourism infrastructures. We must also take a
more careful look at where our domestic tourists come from and we must pay full attention
to this sector of the market." Mr Marcowitz said the Tourism Bill had been delayed
for a few more months as he had commissioned ODAs Dirk Joubert to research the needs
and problems in each region. "Once he tables a report I will study it in detail
before any changes will be made to the Act," the minister said.

Founder and chairman of Open Africa, Noel de
Villiers, recently visited Murraysburg to discuss the promotional power of creating and
linking tourist routes. The meeting was arranged by Alida Vermeulen, chairman of the local
tourist bureau, as farmers in the district are keen to establish a fossil route. "The
formation of routes is an extraordinarily effective way to develop and promote
tourism," Noel said. "We have proved this through the establishment of many
successful routes in the Western Cape. Open Africa assists all stakeholders turn dreams
into realities by helping them plan, map and market a route, no matter how big or small.
But total commitment is essential. We ask stakeholders to identify their own Big
Five, the main reasons why tourists should visit their area. From beginning to end
such a process takes 90 days."

TECHNIKON RECORDS A SLICE OF KAROO HISTORY

A team of students from the Technikon
Pretorias Department of Architecture recently completed a comprehensive historic
survey for the Karoo National Park. Under the guidance of departmental director Johan
Jooste and senior lecturers Harry Benadť and Daan Steynberg, 19 South African and two
overseas students documented all buildings on land the park acquired last year. Work on
the project began in June, 2000, when a team working with Daan Steynberg pinpointed all
structures with a global positioning system (GPS). Floor plans, sections and elevations
were prepared under the direction of Harry Benadť. All buildings were then measured and
photographed. Data was collected for evaluation in Pretoria. The students spent seven
months translating field notes into electronic formats for a preliminary report. During
the first phase, work was completed at nine sites. A further six sites were studied in
April, this year. Niels Benecke, of the Vrye Universiteit van Amsterdam, and Katrina
Klandermans, of the Technical University of Delft, both completing degrees on South
African indigenous architecture, were again part of the team. In total, 64 structures,
dating from 1790 to about 1950, were recorded, as well as sheds, dry-stone kraal walls and
"long-drops" (outhouses).

The San people believed that their shamans could
control swallows and their movements. And therein lay a link with the rain. "They
associated swallows with water, particularly rain," explains Jeremy Hollman of the
Rock Art Research Centre at the University of the Witwatersrand. Towards the end of the
1800s, William Bleek conducted immensely valuable research into Bushman folklore. Among
the tales he recorded was one about the swallow: "Our mothers tell us we should not
throw stones at the swallow because it is a rain thing," one told him. "They ask
us whether we do not see that when the rain clouds are in the sky, the swallow flies
about, but when there are no rain clouds, we do not see it." Another story in the
Bleek and Lloyd manuscripts tells of a boy who threw stones at a swallow and nearly died.
"As he threw them, he fell insensible. It seemed he would die ... a sorcerer came out
of the swallow and into him. He didnt die. He would die another day," said
Bleeks storyteller.

A rare fossil found by accident on a Murraysburg
farm last year has turned out to be a link between the Geat Karoo and Russia. The SA
Museums top vertebrate preparator, Annelise Crean, has just finished working on the
skull and lower jaw of a Proburnetia, found by Dr Roger Smith, Head of
Palaeontology. "This is was one of the most exciting finds I have ever made,"
said Roger. "Only five Proburnetia fossils have been found in the world, and
all of these were discovered in Russia. Proburnetia were about the size of a
collie dog. They roamed the ancient Karoo about 253-million years ago scavenging on
carcasses of animals such as the large Dicynodon, also discovered by accident in
a nearby gulley." While members of the Karoo Paleo-Team were excavating the Dicynodon,
Roger explored an adjoining gulley. There he discovered the back end of a fossilised skull
embedded in shale. Recognising it as rare and unusual, he excavated it. Strolling back, he
spotted a similarly shaped rock in a stream-bed about 50 metres away. This turned out to
be the front of the same skull, complete with nasal horn and teeth. "The odds of
finding such a truly rare fossil are a million to one, but finding two pieces that fit
perfectly so close to one another is amazing," said Roger. According to Dr Michael
Shishkin, Russian palaeontologist and a world specialist on ancient amphibians, the fact
that common families of fossil reptiles, which could not swim across oceans, are found in
Russia and South Africa, confirms that the continents were joined 250-million years ago.

FOSSIL NAME HONOURS MAN WITH A WINNING
SMILE

While tracking a buck during a hunt, Willie
Pienaar, owner of Walplaas, near Murraysburg, spotted bones jutting out of a rock in an
erosion gulley. They intrigued him, so Willie contacted the SA Museum. Dr Roger Smith,
Georgina Skinner and Paul October, of the Karoo Paleo-Team, established that it was the
fossil of a three-metre-long Dicynodon. A search of the gulley revealed much more
material, so they decided to excavate the fossil. "Willie and Bettie-Marie Pienaar
and their staff could not have been more helpful and supportive," said Roger. But the
man who stole their hearts was Johannes "Oompies" Swart. His enthusiastic
efforts resulted in the fossil being named "Oompies" in his honour.
"Preparing the fossil for transport was a painstaking and time-consuming task,"
said Roger. "It first had to be encased in plaster of paris to preserve it. Just
digging it free took several days, and Johannes never once lost his winning, gap-toothed
smile." Another important find was made in this area two years ago when the
paleo-team discovered "Delila," a Pareiasaurus, on Doornplaats.
"This was an important find as it was the first fossil ever found with full dermal
armour," said Roger.

GLOBAL WARMING THREATENS KAROO FLORA

As much as half the Capes floral kingdom and
its unique fynbos is under threat from global warming. Many species face extinction, say
scientists. A report entitled Impacts of Climate Change on Plant Diversity,
compiled by scientists of Kirstenbosch and the University of Cape Town, states that the
Karoo, particularly the western sector which has a wealth of succulent flora, could by
devastated before 2050. Many Karoo plants live on the edge of survival. They are totally
dependent on low but regular rainfall, and the report foresees that as the area becomes
warmer, rainfall will drop dramatically. A report in the Sunday Times of April 8
claims that if the Karoo were to become drier the effect would be devastating. Only the
hardiest plants would survive, and desert plants would begin to encroach.

KAROO ONCE ENJOYED THE SPORT OF KINGS

Horse-racing was once such a popular sport in the
Great Karoo that virtually every town had its own racecourse. Beaufort Westers decided to
establish one in May, 1902. Enthusiasts held an inaugural meeting and after appointing a
president, committee, stewards, a clerk of the course, a clerk of scales, a starter and a
judge, decided to hold the first race meeting on May 25. The Courier of May 10
reported that there were six races on the card. A four-furlong race for ponies of 14 hands
and under, an open one-mile race for all horses including any which had run for public
stakes. Then there was a five- and a six-furlong race, as well as a one-mile race and an
open quarter-mile sprint. At the very last moment it was decided to include a hurdle,
"always popular with the crowd." The organisers stipulated that all entries and
colours had to be registered five days before the event. The president encouraged locals
to attend and support the event generously. He promised "excellent purses well worth
competing for."

READING THE ROCKS WILL ENRICH TOURISM

Interpretation of the geological features of an
area such as the Karoo could greatly enhance tourism. After a recent visit to the area,
Morris J Viljoen, Professor of Mining Geology of the Department of Geology at the
University of the Witwatersrand, said: "Most people drive for hours on end constantly
exposed to picturesque scenery and fascinating rock formations. Learning more about the
flat, dolerite-topped koppies, their strange conical counterparts and the fascinating,
swirled rock formations in areas such as Meiringspoort would enrich their holiday
experience. Easily accessible explanations in laymans language should be readily
available at places such as tourist bureaus and the Karoo National Park." Professor
Viljoen has just produced a book entitled An Introduction to South Africas
Geological and Mining Heritage. It was co-authored by Wolf Uwe Reimold, Associate
Professor of Mineralogy and Head of the Impact Cratering Research Group of the Wits
Department of Geology, and Antony Cowel, Minteks technical editor. The 193-page,
well-illustrated, full-colour book, with maps on each area and with major chapters written
by acknowledged experts, costs R115, plus postage. Copies can be ordered from Professor
Viljoen at the Department of Geology, University of the Witwatersrand.

Thirty Friends of the SA Museum in Cape Town will
spend a week in the Beaufort West searching for fossils at the end of May. Under the
guidance of Dr Roger Smith, Head of the Karoo Paleo-Team and other experts from the
museum, they will dig at sites on La-de-da, south of the town, and Putfontein on the
Nuweveld Mountains. "Such digs have to be handled with the utmost care to ensure that
valuable material does not get damaged," said Roger. " From time to time, laymen
have made some exciting finds. All fossils in South Africa are subject to the
countrys conservation policies and protected by the National Heritage Act of 1966.
Fossil hunters must always bear in mind that these once were living creatures that roamed
the Karoo. Their fossilised remains reveal a great deal of what the earth was like in
their time. No unqualified person may excavate fossils or any other archaeological
material without the guidance of a qualified person or team which has a permit to collect
material for research purposes. All material found has to be taken back to Cape Town where
highly-skilled preperators remove the fossilised remains from the surrounding rock. This
takes time and has to be done with great care. It is a delicate job. The museum regularly
arranges outreach programmes, such as this popular annual five-day excursion to Beaufort
West, to increase awareness of the countrys natural heritage and to raise funds for
projects," said Roger.

The first tourist route through a Karoo township is being
created in Kwa-Mandlenkosi, Beaufort West. This was recently announced by Siphiwe Piti,
chairman of the District Municipality Tourism Committee, when he appointed 12 tourism
ambassadors at Mandlenkosi Secondary School. They are Gift Louw, Utombekhanya Lawrence,
Athone Ngondo, Uthabiseng Manewe, Bongulethu Faas, Siyabulela Swartbooi, Andiswa Mzakala,
Sandile Kohwe, Mzwamadode Visagie, Sipho Ngwenya, Uonzwakazi Lekanyane and Mucedisi Minye.
All are in Grade 9. They volunteered to help with a community service project. Siphiwe
presented the pupils with T-shirts and background information. The idea for the route
developed after Msi Nxele, Western Cape Tourism Boards educational co-ordinator,
visited Beaufort West. He found the school, but not the entrance, which is tucked away in
a side street. He said: "Tourists may know of a place, as I did today, but if they
cant easily reach it, theyll never visit." The pupils and their teacher,
Mrs Lungi Ngondo, took his talk to heart and the idea for a route to put Kwa-Mandlenkosi
on the tourist map was born. Lungi discussed a township tourist route with regional
tourism co-ordinator Rose Willis. Further discussions were held with artists, crafters and
other interested organisations. Eventually plans were brought to the attention of Noel de
Villiers, founder and director of Open Africa. The level of local enthusiasm impressed him
and Noel offered to help with funding. The new ambassadors will help plan, clean, and
research the route. It has the full support of Mandlenkosi High Schools principal,
Mr Tamsanga Pandle.

The Roy Oosthuizen Fossil Room at the Fransie Pienaar
Museum in Prince Albert has been completed. This display of Karoo fossils, in the room
formerly used by the Tourism Bureau, was set up by the paleo-team of the SA Museum. Some
of the material came from Roy Oosthuizens private museum. After Roys death his
museum was closed and, in terms of his will, most exhibits were sent to the SA Museum in
Cape Town. Prince Alberts local expert on palaeontology and geology, Judy McGuire,
helped set up the exhibit.

NEW PERSPECTIVES ON THE ENVIRONMENT

SAN Parks held an environmental
interpretation and education for conservation workshop in the Karoo National Park from May
22 to 24. The aim was development of a corporate perspective, strategy, curricula and
business plans to cover the many groups who visit the parks. These include schoolchildren,
adult education organisations, local and international tourists, day-trippers and
neighbouring communities. "The course, covered tourism, conservation, the more
effective operation of socio-ecology departments and communication with communities,"
park manager Leighton Hare said.

A painting in the South African embassy in
Washington, DC, has a link with Beaufort West. It was painted by Yvonne de Wet, who grew
up in this Karoo village. She now lives with her husband, Derek McLean, in Somerset West.
Yvonne took some time to has shed more light on the De Wet family of Beaufort West for
Ingrid Mousley, of Clarens in the Free State (Round-Up No 85). "My father was Jacobus
McCheyne de Wet. His middle name was in honour of the Scots midwife who brought him into
the world. It is pronounced Mac-chainie and Afrikaans wags in the Karoo
jokingly called him Mac-Ketting. Normally, he was simply known as Jim or
Jimmy. My grandfather, Gerald Christiaan de Wet, was widely known throughout the Karoo as
Pappa de Wet. His brother was Jack de Wet. My Ouma was extremely
religious. She never went anywhere without her bible and played the organ in the
Moederkerk. Typical of a South African family, however, we had close ties with the
Anglican Church. Anne, an aunt, married the son of the local rector, Guy Gething. The
family has strong Irish links. Almost all have beautiful blue eyes. My only son, Rory,
recently earned a handsome sum in half an hour when an advertising agency photographed his
blue eyes. The De Wets are blessed with longevity. Papa was 85 when he died, my dad, 81,
and his sister, Beatrix Bertie, lived to 91. Until her dying day she was the
life and soul of any party."

A church history researcher recently
discovered that the Dutch Reformed Mission church in Merweville was started by a shepherd.
As he moved about with his flock of sheep, Hendrik Tamatie spread the word of God.
Eventually, with a small personal allowance, Hendrik built a tiny stone room from where he
preached each Sunday. His efforts were recognised in 1908, and the local church
congregation helped him. By 1923, a mission church was built in Merweville.

BROWSING REVEALS LAINGSBURGS
TWIN

Browsing the Net recently revealed
that Laingsburg in the Great Karoo has a twin town in Michigan in the United States. The
towns have a great deal in common. Advertising literature for the American village, also
in a rural area, states: "Passing through our sleepy little village tourists would
hardly imagine this once was a thriving city with shops, businesses and a busy railroad.
Nevertheless, today it still lies alongside a main highway with many beautiful, historic
winding routes, truly worth exploring, nearby." Laingsburg, Michigan, lies on the
banks of the Looking Glass River (the Karoo town is on the banks of the Buffels River).
The US town was virtually destroyed by fire in 1888. Its South African counterpart
suffered a similar fate in a devastating flood in 1981, almost a century after it was
established. The US town, in Shiawassee County, has a population of 1 148. Only 430
families live there. The first inhabitants, Native Americans, built a Chippewa village
called Wassololo at this site in the 1600s. It vanished without trace. The present-day
town was founded in 1836 by Dr Peter Laing, a Scot who moved to this outlying area to
practise medicine. He ended up building a tavern on the rugged route between Pontiac and
Grand Rapids. Weary travellers soon began to stop and soon more hotels and taverns popped
up. The fledgling village became known as Laingsburg. Oddly enough, like its local
counterpart, it also underwent name changes before settling on Laingsburg.

A student from the Universita Degli Studi
di Pavi in Italy recently spent four weeks in the Karoo studying rock formations and
searching for fossils. Frederica Vitali, who hails from Bergamo, Italy, began her study of
the Beaufort Group of rocks in Jansenville and then made a detailed study of the
Ecca/Beaufort layers across a 2 000 metre geological section on the banks of the Dwyka
River, near Prince Albert Road. "We found an excellent outcrop near the N1, in the
vicinity of the Dwyka Bridge," said Frederica, who will use the information for a
Ph.D. Her supervisors are Professor Bruce Rubidge, Head of Palaeontology at the Bernard
Price Institute at the University of the Witwatersrand, and Professor Giusseppe Cassinis,
President of Permian Period Studies in Europe at the Pavia University. Frederica was
accompanied by Charlton Dube, a technician and fossil preparator of the University of the
Witwatersrand. "We found fossilised bones and plant material that will be taken to
Wits for further study," she said. "I will draw the section I studied when I
return to Wits and analyse the data and rock samples collected during my field studies
there before returning to Italy in July. Frederica was full of praise for the hospitality
and friendship found in the Karoo. "Tobie and Andine Gous, of North and South B&B
at Prince Albert Road, went out of their way to make my stay in the Karoo a memorable and
successful one," she said. "Of course, all of our field research is done on
farms and all of these farmers were most hospitable and kind."

LAST WISH DASHED IN HEARSE CRASH

Way back in the 1800s, the little town of
Beaufort West could not afford a hearse. Traditionally, coffins were carried to the
cemetery by pall-bearers. However, Blythe Street cemetery was a long haul, even for strong
men. Also, as roads improved, more farmers opted for a church burial in town. On occasion,
a horse-drawn cart was used, but this was considered somewhat undignified. So, according
to Oom Frik Swanepoel, whose family once farmed on Kookfontein, one of their neighbours
decided to do something. He was the aging but reasonably well-off Koos Fourie, owner of
Doornfontein. Koos undertook to provide a hearse on condition his would be the first body
it carried. The church accepted his offer. "Koos commissioned the building of a grand
hearse," Oom Frik said. "And, as luck would have it, Koos died shortly after its
completion. Sadly, however, the church was unable to honour its part of the bargain and
fulfil Kooss last wish. Two hired black horses, draped in black, were hitched to the
new hearse. But before his coffin could be loaded, something frightened the horses. They
bolted with the hearse and it was smashed into little pieces. Kooss coffin had to be
trundled to the graveyard on an ordinary cart. Shortly afterwards, in 1869, D G
"Ryk" Daantjie de Villiers arranged for the purchase of a hearse for £75 in
Cape Town. Transport to Beaufort West cost £12. This hearse was used until the 1930s,
when it was replaced by a motor-driven vehicle."

Six Beaufort West high school pupils
recently studied the effect of local and international tourism on their town for a
business development project. Mzukisi Ntambo, Sivugile Fasie, Phumzile George, Thembikhaya
Menziwa, Fundiswa Ralehoke and Meleza Damon, all Grade 11 pupils at Mandlenkosi Secondary
School, called on the Regional Tourism Office for assistance. They needed to know how the
various tourism bodies in South Africa worked together to promote the country, provinces,
regions and individual towns locally and abroad. They discussed the various structures
within the local tourism industry and how these were linked to develop job creation
programmes. And, because their school is in the centre of the Great Karoo, they
investigated the eco-, agri- and adventure tourism potential of the town, its surrounds
and the Karoo National Park as well as the role of the museum.

INTERNATIONAL HELP FOR LOCAL
DEVELOPMENT

An international consultant has drawn up
development plans for Prince Albert. After discussions with the municipality, concerned
roleplayers and the tourism bureau, Simon White, of the International Labour Organisation,
compiled a working paper designed to close the gap in empowerment. This paper will be
discussed during LEED (Local Economic and Employment Development) week from June 11.
"Tourism is central to viable economic development and several tourism plans will be
discussed during LEED week," Tourism Bureau chairman, Gary Smith, said.

Tourism has sprouted wings in Kwa-Mandlenkosi. This was
evident at the crowded inaugural meeting of a tourism planning committee recently at H M
Dlikidla Primary School. Representatives from diverse organisations discussed the vital
role of tourism within the Beaufort West community and the importance of the proposed
route through the township. "Until fairly recently, most Africans had little interest
in tourism," said Siphiwe Piti, chairman of the Central Karoo Regional Tourism
Organisation. "Developments in the new South Africa, however, have changed this.
People now acknowledge tourism as the key to economic and infrastructure development and
job creation. In the Karoo we have a wealth of cultures to share with tourists and a range
of experiences to offer them. We are constantly working to develop routes and attractions
to encourage tourists to do more than simply overnight in the area. The Mandlenkosi
Tourism Committee will meet regularly to turn our dreams into realities." A special
workshop, addressed by Open Africa representatives, will be held at the school to discuss
finer details of the Mandlenkosi Tourist Route.

A conservationist keen to see vultures back in their
natural habitat in the Karoo recently talked to bird watchers, nature lovers and farmers
in Beaufort West and Prince Albert. Dr Gerhard Verdoorn, group research and conservation
director of the Endangered Wildlife Trust, incorporating raptor conservation and vulture
study groups, encouraged farmers to establish vulture restaurants to coax these birds back
to the Central Karoo. "Years ago, when I visited the Beaufort West area, I saw many
vultures nesting on the Nuweveld mountains. Today, not one is left. Farmers should make a
sincere effort to bring them back. Ecologically, it would be a wise move." Dr
Verdoorn, who would like to see poisons used correctly, also discussed his research on a
new natural poison which targets only specific predators.

BLACK EAGLES MOVE THEM TO TEARS

Tel 023-415-2828

Over the years, two black eagles at the Karoo National Park
have gained celebrity status among visitors from across the world. The sheer beauty of the
two raptors has even moved the odd tourist to tears. The pair first nested on a ledge just
below the look-out site at Rooivalle on Klipspringer Drive five years ago. Visitors strain
at the sites guard rails to get a good look as the two birds build their nest, sit
on eggs, feed offspring and eventually teach chicks to fly. When last years eaglet
eventually took the plunge for its first wobbly flight across the ravine and landed on the
other side with a screech of terror, a German burst into tears at the sheer wonder of it.
This year, the eagle pair have already started building a nest on the same ledge. Watching
the construction work with a group of tourists, ranger Dawie de Villiers said: "It is
almost as if they know they are a major attraction and work to maintain their
status."

The man considered to be the father of the South
Africas quagga breeding project, Rheinold Rau of the SA Museum, recently visited the
Karoo National Park and was delighted with the progress the quaggas have made there. Of
the original 14 animals sent to the park three years ago, only one has died. He was Allan,
who hailed from Ethosa, and was almost 20 years old. There are now 25 quaggas on the
plains in the Lammertjiesleegte area. Among them are two newcomers, foals born to Lois in
March and to Simunye in May. Neither have yet been named. The quagga was hunted to
extinction in the late 1800s. In 1803, German explorer Heinrich Lichtenstein reported
seeing hundreds of wild animals including herds of quagga near present-day Beaufort West.
Quagga numbers dwindled as hunting intensified to satisfy the growing demand for their
skins to make bags. By 1856, the animals were reported to be "rather scarce."
Hinterland explorer John Barrow reported seeing zebra and a great number of another member
of the zebra family, known in the colony by its Hottentot name of "quagga," near
the Geelbek River in the Laingsburg district in 1797. He wrote that "this animal was
long considered to be a female zebra, but it is now known to be a distinct species. The
animals are beautifully marked with faint stripes on the forequarters."

KAROO HERITAGE SYMPOSIUM PLANNED

Tel No 021-462-4502

A symposium aimed at promoting a better understanding and
use of Karoo urban heritage is being planned for September. This joint effort of the
International Council on Monuments and Sites (ICOMO SA), South African Heritage Resources
Agency (SAHRA - formerly the National Monuments Council)) and the Committee for Historical
Towns and Villages (CIVVIH) will be held from September 2 to 4 at the Apollo Theatre in
Victoria West. Organiser Tabisa Konyashe, of SAHRA, said: "A variety of papers of
interest to people involved in tourism, local government, economic and infrastructural
development of small Karoo towns will be presented." Further information from The
Apollo Theatre will also host a film festival from September 25 to October 6, this year.
Full details from or tel no 053-621-1185.

LICHENOLOGIST STUDIES THE SWARTBERG

The richly coloured rock faces at the Swartberg Pass
entrance at Prince Albert recently brought a Canadian visitor to the town in the form of
lichenologist Philip May. Locals peering over his shoulder as Philip studied the rocks,
were filled with questions. "What is it?" "Why so many colours?"
Philip explained: "Lichen is a composite of two quite distinct kinds of plants
intergrown in close, obligatory association. One is a fungus. It forms a dense web of fine
threads in which an alga grows. The association of the fungus and alga is an example of
perfect symbiosis. The fungus feeds on the alga, which in turn gets water and dissolved
mineral salts from the fungus, which protects it from adverse weather and drought. Neither
of these organisms can survive alone, yet, together they form an invincible partnership.
Lichen lives on bare rock. It survives even in Arctic conditions where no other plant
could live. Lichen is the hardy pioneer that plays a vital role in the painfully slow
process of breaking down rocks to form soil. Yellow lichen, Dermatiscum thunbergii, is an
umbilicate. This means that each microscopic chip is attached to rock by a short, thread.
This yellow lichen, pigmented by rhizocarpic acid, prefers the cool side of
the rock and grows only at certain altitudes on quartzite. At low altitudes it turns
brown. The pigment in green lichen responds to sunlight. Orange-red and frilly grey
lichens prefer sunny spots lower down on cliff faces. Lichens are sensitive to pollution,
so the colourful entrance to Prince Albert bears testimony to pure air."

HISTORY IS ANYTHING BUT DRY

Members of the Von Prophalow Society, a light-hearted
historical group, will visit the Laingsburg area from September 14 to 16. Historic
researcher Dr Cyril Hromnik will discuss some of the ancient Quenna sites he has found on
David Luscombes farm. The Von Prophalow Society, established in 1988, takes its name
from Baron Von Prophalow, who was Commander of the Cape Town Castle and the man who handed
the Colony over to the British in 1806. The societys motto is "History is not
dry." Its logo depicts a hand holding a glass of wine. The group will stay at the
Lord Milner Hotel at Matjiesfontein, where members hope to catch a glimpse of the resident
ghosts before they down a glass of wine.

The coalfields of the old Cape Colony have captured the
imagination of Beaufort West freelance researcher Arnold Hutchinson. Searching for the
history of coal and pseudocoal in the Great Karoo, Arnold found that "the first
recorded discovery and use of coal by Europeans was in the Franschhoek Valley in
1699." So says John Devenish in his Coal, Pride of South Africa. Devenish also states
that Africans, however, used coal long before the Europeans arrived. Arnold says:
"Coal was found and used in the Karoo in the 1800s. Over the years, many researchers
reported finding veins of a brittle, jet-black, lustrous coal-like substance that
were fissure fillings in Karoo beds. Coal was discovered on Leeuwrivierspoort,
then part of Klipplaats-fontein, in 1864 and 1865. There were also reports of finds on
Buffelskloof in the Aberdeen district in 1875. A geological survey reinvestigated this
pseudocoal between 1940 and 1942. In all, there were about 30 occurrences of pseudocoal in
the Dwyka, Ecca and Beaufort Series of the Karoo System. There are also reports of small
mines on 14 farms in the Merweville district. These were Langekuil, Wilgeboschkloof,
Hartebeestefontein, Oudeberg, earlier known as Rietpoort, Sambokkraal, also known as
Hamelkraal, De Drift, Tweefontein, or Platdoorns, De List, Kruisvlei, Ongeluksfontein,
Leeuwkraal, also known as Elandsfontein, Varsfontein, De Puts, once also called
Leeuwfontein, and Zeekoevallei," says Arnold.

SWARTBERG HOTEL SOON BACK IN BUSINESS

Tel 023-541-1822

Prince Alberts popular Swartberg Hotel, damaged by
fire last December, will re-open on September 1. Fred and Anobť Badenhorst, who farm in
the district, recently bought the hotel. "It has been a landmark and central to
tourism in Prince Albert since it opened in the mid-1800s. We aim to keep it so,"
Fred said. "Early travellers stopped at the Swartberg Hotel to rest and refresh
themselves before tackling the daunting Swartberg Pass. Government officials and road
builders met here. Fortune hunters, preachers, explorers and travelling salesmen were
regular guests. Victorian ladies held tÍte-ŗ-tÍtes in the writing room. The lounges,
dining room, bars and gardens were places to socialise, discuss business, grumble or
gossip. The goldrush to Spreeuwfontein and Klein Waterval brought a more rugged clientele
to wet their whistles and test their luck at cards. The hotels gambling ghost dates
back to this time. Many have seen him playing poker in one of the rooms. We hope the fire
didnt scare him away." While builders, painters and decorators are hard at work
repairing fire damage, Fred and Anobť are busy gathering historic information, old
photographs and stories from all who have good memories of the hotel.

Several top tourism industry VIPs recently visited the
Central Karoo. Lindiwe Sangweni-Siddo, Chief Director, Tourism Support, of the Department
of Environmental Affairs and Tourism in Pretoria, delivered a talk in Prince Albert during
LEED (Local Economic and Employment Development) week. She was accompanied by Dr Joseph
Raputsoe, Director, Quality Assurance and the man responsible for the new tour guiding
programme, and Noma Xhosa Jongilane, Director, Communications. Dr Mike Fabricius, CEO of
Western Cape Tourism Board, visited Beaufort West, Prince Albert and Laingsburg for
discussions with tourism stakeholders. Dr Laurine Platzky, Deputy Director-General,
Business Promotion and Tourism, of the Western Cape Department of Economic Affairs,
Agriculture and Tourism, also had discussions on tourism and other development projects
while in the Karoo.